Name____________________________________Per_____Date___________
SUBMARINE PROJECT
TASK:
In self-selected groups of 2-3 people, create a “submarine” that when
placed in room temp water will either float at the top then sink to the
bottom OR sink to the bottom then float at the top within 4 minutes
without additional human interaction. The water will be 30 cm deep.
GUIDELINES:
1) No commercial products will be accepted
2) No electronic devices (water is a conductor)
3) Cannot change temperature or density of water in tank
4) No dissolvable materials (including paper or Alka-Seltzer)
5) You will have one 4 min test window to prove its efficacy
6) No larger than 15cm x 15cm x 15cm
7) No parts/pieces can be outside of the testing tank
8) Submarine must touch the bottom for the “sink” to count & must float
at the surface of the water to count for the “float”
9) Initial float or sink must last for a count of 3 seconds
Feb 8th – Introduce project, choose groups and begin planning
TIMELINE:
Feb. 9th-11th – Create submarine & collect data in class
Feb. 12th – Final Test Day & Packet Due (no work time will be given)
*If you are absent for two or more days, you must create your own submarine based on the criteria included and
video record the results of your test. Video confirmation and packet are due in class by February 22nd. Email your
teacher the video confirmation prior to the deadline.
GRADING FOR:
PERIOD:
Criteria
Points
Completion of Task
/3
/8
Data Collection
Comments
1
Submarine only floated or only sank to the bottom
3
Submarine floated (3s) then sank, or sank (3s) then floated
+1
Submarine successfully F, S, F or S, F, S. (extra credit)
3
Mass OR Volume was accurately measured
5
Mass AND Volume were accurately measured
8
Mass, Volume, and Density were accurately measured
Analysis Questions
/8
<8
8
Complete AND accurate answers
Labeled Diagram
/2
1
Complete diagrams included
2
Complete diagrams, all parts labeled with name and density
/5
<5
Team Work
Total
5
Incomplete OR inaccurate answers
Not always on task OR did not work well with team.
Great contributor and always on task.
/ 26 = A B C D F
*No classroom storage available. All materials must be brought from home and taken at the end of every period.*
DATA COLLECTION:
Fill-in the table to find the density of all substances used to create your submarine.
Material(s) Used
Mass
Volume
(g)
(cm )
3
Calculations
Density
(g/cm3)
OBSERVATIONS/OTHER DATA:
*No classroom storage available. All materials must be brought from home and taken at the end of every period.*
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
1) Explain how and why your submarine should work. (2)
2) How does density affect your submarine’s ability to float/sink? Explain. (2)
3) Why did the titanic float when the boat itself was made of materials with a density
greater than 1 g/cm3? (2)
4) Describe the challenges your device would face if used in the Dead Sea which has an
average density of 1.24 g/cm3? Explain. (2)
*No classroom storage available. All materials must be brought from home and taken at the end of every period.*
LABELED DIAGRAM OF SUBMARINE:
Drawing of submarine when floating.
Drawing of submarine after it has sunk.
*No classroom storage available. All materials must be brought from home and taken at the end of every period.*