PhET- Density Activity

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/density
Click Run Now on this simulation. If Java is
required, go to Self Service on your computer and
install the needed Java App.
Custom Section: Use the mass provided on the item and record
the volume information from water displacement to fill in the
table below.
Calculated
Accepte
Material
Mass (kg) Volume (L) Density
Does it
d
(kg/L)
Float?
Density
(kg/L)
*from
the
chart
Styrofoam
Wood
Ice
Brick
Aluminum
1. Was your calculated density the same as the accepted
density for each object? (The density is shown on the bottom line
of the chart in the top left corner)
2. What would be the source of error for incorrect density?
3. If your density was incorrect, go back and place a floating
item in the water and then use your mouse to completely
submerge it. Now calculate the density.
If you did this in the first place, record quantitative observations
about mass, volume and density when the object is floating and
not submerged.
1.
In the custom setting, choose the My Block option in the
top left box. Set the mass of your object to 4.00 kg (You can
physically type this in if the slide bar is being tricky). Adjust the
volume to find the minimum volume needed to make the object
float.

Volume_________________

Density__________________

2. What would the minimum volume needed be to make the

object flink, partial floating and partial sinking.
Volume______________________
Density__________________
3. Using the slide bar, determine how does the density of a
large piece (change mass and volume) of aluminum compare to
a small piece?

Same Mass Section

Material

Mass (kg)

Volume (L)

Density
(kg/L)

Does it
Float?

Volume (L)

Density
(kg/L)

Does it
Float?

Blue
Yellow
Green
Red
Same Volume Section
Material

Mass (kg)

Blue
Yellow
Green
Red
3. Looking at the data on the previous page, what must be true about
the density of
an object in order for it to float?
Same Density Section:
Material

Mass (kg)

Volume (L)

Density
(kg/L)

Does it
Float?

Blue
Yellow
Green
Red
5. Explain why both the yellow and red objects float when they have
different sizes.

Mystery Section:
6. Before you start, pick an object that you think will float.
___________________________
Pick an object that you think will sink. _________________________
Material

Mass (kg)

Volume (L)

Density
(kg/L)

Does it
Float?

Using
the
show
table
determi
ne the
substan
ce

A
B
C
D
E
7. From the Custom section describe the difference between how
Styrofoam and ice
floated. Also explain why you think this is the case?

8. From the Same Mass Section discuss what was interesting about the
blue objects behavior in the water.

9. From the Mystery Section, click on the Show Table button. What
is the most denseobject on the list? Write its density as well.

10. What is the precision that each measurement could be measured

to?
11. Research Archimedes Principle and describe how it relates to this
lesson.