Sinking Water

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If you've spent even a few hours in a pool, you know that the deep end is colder than the shallow. But do you know why? Experiment with colored ice cubes for insight into water density.


Sinking Water


  • More About This Resource...

    • This experiment uses colored ice cubes to demonstrate how temperature changes water density. Working together in small groups, students can complete the experiment in a single class period. The printable eight-page handout includes:

      • A series of inquiry-based questions to get students thinking about how and why water temperature changes along with depth.
      • Illustrated experiment directions.
      • A worksheet that helps students use the experiment results to gain a deeper understanding of buoyancy and density.

    • Completion Time

      Approximately 1 period

    • Topic

      Earth Science

    • Subtopic

      Oceans

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties and changes of properties in matter• motions and forces• transfer of energy

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • structure and properties of matter• motions and forces• interactions of energy and matter

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties and changes of properties in matter• motions and forces• transfer of energy

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

      Grades 9-12:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • structure and properties of matter• motions and forces• interactions of energy and matter

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge