Density experiments – one volunteer
Supplies needed:
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Container of fresh water (9x11 glass baking pan or similar size)
Container of salt water (same size)
Various items of different densities. Some examples:
o Cork
o Sponge
o Pumice stone
o Plastic spoon/fork/knife
o Crumpled foil
o Flat folded foil
o Wood block(s)
o Coins
o Different types of fruit
o Pencil erasers
o Anything else you can think of
Procedure:
1. Label the containers “Freshwater” and “Saltwater”.
2. Lay out the items on a table with the containers.
3. Have the students sort the items according to which ones they think will sink and which
will float.
4. Let the students test them one by one in the freshwater. Were they surprised by any of
the results?
5. Ask them if the objects will be more or less likely to float in the saltwater than in the
freshwater. Let them test the items in the saltwater container. Did anything float in the
saltwater that wouldn’t float in the freshwater?