Properties of
Matter Circus
and
Density Circus
Property of Matter Circus:
Measuring Volume
STATION 1. Measuring the volume of solids
Type of
Block
Length (A)
Width
(B)
Height
(C)
Volume
(AxBxC)
A.Find the volume of a cube
Metal
Wood
Type of Stopper
B. Find the volume of an
irregular object (cork and
rubber stopper)
Rubber
Cork
Mass
Volume
Property of Matter Circus:
MASS AND VOLUME
STATION 2. Measuring the mass and volume of solids
Problem: Is the mass of the object equal to the space it takes up?
Hypothesis: (Write a possible answer to the problem)
OBJECT
MASS (g)
Sand
2
Water
2
Cotton
2
Volume (ml)
(don’t need to write this down) Procedure:
1. Measure 2g of either sand, cotton, or water (pick one)
2. Then find the volume of 2g for your chosen object.
3. Repeat step 1-2 for the other two objects.
4. Record your results in the table.
Observations
Density Circus: ACTIVITY 1
Density blocks: Use the cubes from your Properties of
Matter Circus (share with group next to you)
1) Make a table in your book with 6 columns – material of
block, mass, volume, density, prediction and results.
Material of
block
Mass
g
Volume
cm3
Density
g/cm3
Float or sink
Prediction
Result
2) Calculate the density of each cube and record it in a
table in your handout.
3) Make a prediction about which will float and which will
sink.
4) Put the cubes in water and record your observations.
5) Explain your results in terms of density- why did they
sink or float?
Density Circus: ACTIVITY 2
Looking at bread:
1) Place half a piece of bread carefully in
the water. Did it float?
2) Now crush the other half of bread into
a ball. What do you predict will happen –
will it float or sink? Why?
3) Put the crushed piece into water to test
your prediction. What did happen? Can
you explain why in terms of density?
Density Circus: ACTIVITY 3
Density of clay:
1) Measure and calculate the density of
the piece of clay. Show your
calculations in your book/handout.
2) Cut the clay in half. Make a prediction
about its density now and explain why.
3) Measure/calculate the density of the
smaller piece of clay and record this in
your notebook
4) What happened to the density?
CIRCUS QUESTIONS
1) Properties of Matter Circus
How do you measure the following: (Explain and/or
provide a diagram)
a. mass of a solid, liquid
b. volume of a liquid, a regular solid, and an irregular solid
2) Density Circus
Write a summary paragraph explaining density and the
factors that affect it.
3) Density Challenge
How can you make the red water float on top of the blue
water without adding anything extra to them.
Four Point Scale:
4- Exceeds Expectations
2- Approaching Expectations
3- Meets Expectations
Criteria
1- Below Expectations
Points
Work is complete; all questions
answered
4
Written observations show detail
and accuracy
4
Data is complete, accurate and
recorded in a table; calculations
provided when needed
4
Summary is clearly written and
reflects a clear understanding of
science concepts
4
Solution offered to the density
challenge is valid and clearly
explained
4
TOTAL (HW/SW)
20
Your
Mark
Peer’s
Mark
Teacher’s
mark