Will It Sink or Float?

Relevant SOLs:
Science K.5 The student will investigate and understand that water flows and has properties that
can be observed and tested. Key concepts include
c) some materials float in water, while others sink.
Science 2.3 The student will investigate and understand basic properties of solids, liquids, and
gases. Key concepts include
b) measurement of the mass and volume of solids and liquids
Physical Science 2 The student will investigate and understand the nature of matter. Key
concepts include
c) solids, liquids, and gases;
d) physical properties;
f) characteristics of types of matter based on physical and chemical properties.
Materials:
Water
Big clear bin (for holding water)
Objects that will float or sink
o Rock
o Plastic cup
o Rubber band
o Coin
o Index card
o Crayon
o Pencil
o Q-tip
o Metal knife
o Plastic knife
o Paper clip
Cloth or paper towels
Clay
Sink or Float Worksheets
Engage:
Hold up a rock. Ask the students what will happen if you throw the rock in the water. Ask the
students to give a reason for their answer. Have students to connect to real life experiences. Drop
the rock in the water, and ask the students to reflect on their predictions.
Explore:
Provide students with a multitude of objects to experiment with (see materials above). First,
however, give students the Sink or Float worksheet to fill out as they explore. They are to write

down the object, predict whether it will sink or float, and record what happens. Allow the
students to place the objects in the water and watch them sink or float.
Explain:
This activity was conducted in order to deepen the students understanding of density. Density is
often seen as the formula: density = mass/volume. But what does that even mean? It is the ratio
of the mass of individual atoms in relation to the spacing in between those atoms. Therefore,
whether an object floats or sinks is not solely dependent on its weight or size. Instead, how the
weight is spread out through an object effects its buoyancy. If an object is less dense than water,
it will float. On the other hand, if an object is more dense than water, it will sink. The
displacement of water is another major factor that determines the floatation or submersion of an
object. When an object is placed in water, the water is moved from its original position. The
displaced water creates a pressure against the object, which is known as the buoyant force. If the
upward buoyant force equals the downward weight, then the object will float (Hewitt, 2009).
Therefore, buoyancy depends on density. If an object is denser than the liquid, then the object
can push harder and it sinks. If the liquid is denser than the object, then the liquid can push
harder and the object floats (Hackett et al., 2011). Finally, shape affects density. Take a boat for
instance. Its shape allows for the displacement of more water, creating a greater buoyant force
(Hewitt, 2009). The shape also allows air rather than water to enter the boat. Air allows the boat
to act as it is less dense than water. However, if water were to come into the boat, it would
become more dense and sink (Hackett et al., 2011).
After the explanation, students should complete the two questions at the bottom of the Sink or
Float worksheet.
Elaborate: Give each student a piece of clay. Tell them that their goal is to make the same piece
of clay sink and float. Getting the piece of clay to sink is typically easier than getting it to float.
Shaping the clay into the form of a ball will allow it to sink. However, more experimentation and
manipulation will have to be done in order to get the clay to float. Some students may try to
remove some clay, thinking less weight will cause it to float. The student should realize this will
not work. Reiterate the fact that density is not only dependent on weight but also volume and
shape. Shaping the piece of clay into a boat-like structure will spread the mass over a larger
volume. Also, shaping the clay like a boat will deter water from entering. Instead, air will fill the
boat, which will allow it to act less dense than water. This shape also allows for the
displacement of water to equal out the downward force due to weight and the upward buoyancy
force.
Evaluate:
The Sink or Float worksheet will serve as a form of assessment. The Object and Prediction
columns will serve as completion evaluations, ensuring that students engage in the activity.
However, the questions that follow the chart are to be answered after the explanation portion of
the lesson. This will operate as an assessment of student understanding, as he/she will have to
make connections between the activity and the explanation of density.
References:
Hackett, J. K., Moyet, R. H., Vasquez, J., Teferi, M., Zike, D., LeRoy, K., Terman, D. J. T., &
Wheeler, G. F. (2011). Science: A closer look. Columbus, OH: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.

Hewitt, P. G. (2009). Conceptual physics: The high school physics program. Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Name

Will It Sink or Float?

Object

Prediction

Sink or Float?

What objects sank? Describe why you think at least two of these objects sank.

What objects floated? Describe why you think at least two of these objects floated.