Sinking Water
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.
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More About This Resource...
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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.
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Completion Time
Approximately 1 period
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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
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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
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