Name _________________________________
Date ___________________ Period _____
Why do things float? - Virtual Lab
http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078741858/student_view0/unit1/chapter3/virtual_labs.html#
Step 1: Drag an object to the electronic balance to find the mass and record it in the table below.
Step 2: Drag the object over the tank and drop it in the water to find the volume of each item and
record it in the table.
Step 3: Form a hypothesis and select whether you think the object will float or sink, then click Watch
what happened and record your answer in the data table.
Step 4: Use the calculator to divide the mass by the volume to record the density of that item.
Step 5: Click on the next item to repeat steps 1-4 with each of the remaining items.
Material
Mass (g)
Volume of water
displaced (ml)
Sink or Float?
Density (m/v)
Wood
Aluminum
Plastic
Lead
Cork
Steel
Clay
Rubber
Candle
Questions:
1. State Archimedes’ Principle. How does Archimedes’s Principle explain whether an object will float or
sink in water?
2. Use your understanding of Archimedes’ Principle to predict whether the following objects will float or
sink in water:
Object A: mass of 15.7g displaces 15.9 ml of water ____________________________
Object B: mass of 4.2 g displaces 1.6 ml of water ____________________________
Object C: mass of 9.4 g displaces 4.7 ml of water ____________________________
Object D: mass of 11.4 g displaces 19.7 ml of water ____________________________
3.