Name __________________________ Date _____________ Hour _____________
GUMMY IN MY TUMMY
EXPLORATION: Part A
1. Each group member will receive two gummy bears….one is for testing, one is for
eating. Don’t eat them yet! You will get a chance to do so at the end of the lab.
Use the available equipment to make your measurements and complete your
calculations.
In the following steps, gather your data and record it in the chart on the following
page.
2. Measure the length of the gummy bear from the top of its head to the length of its
feet to the nearest tenth or hundredth of a centimeter.
3. Measure the width at the widest point across the back of the bear to the nearest
tenth or hundredth of a centimeter.
4. Measure the thickness of the bear from to the thickest part of its front to the
thickest part of its back to the nearest tenth or hundredth of a centimeter.
5. In order to calculate volume, recall that you use the formula:
Volume= length x width x height
6. Calculate the volume of the gummy bear using this formula.
7. Record your observations in the chart on the following page.
8. Using a triple beam balance, weigh your gummy bear and record its mass. Be
sure to be as accurate as possible. Round to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Density is the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume.
9. See the diagram pictured below. If each ball has the same mass, what is the
difference between the two boxes? Explain why they are different.
_____________________________________________________________
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Name __________________________ Date _____________ Hour _____________
10. So, if Density = Mass
Volume
Calculate the density of the gummy bear by diving mass by volume. Be sure to round to
the hundredths place & show your work below. Your units will be in g/cm3.
Title: ___________________________________________________________________
Day
Length
Bear Color
Units:
_____
Width
Units:
___
Thickness
Units:
___
Volume
Units:
___
Mass
Units:
___
1
2
Amount
of
Change
(Subtract)
EXPLORATION: Part B
Day 1- Gummy Soak
1. Put the bear in a cup labeled with your name and class period.
2. Fill your Dixie cup halfway full with water and soak your gummy in the Dixie
cup. Place your cups in the designated area and allow to sit overnight.
3. Create a hypothesis as to what you think will happen to the gummy bear
overnight, while soaking in the water.
 Hypothesis: ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Day 2- Tubby Gummy
1. On day 2, remove the gummy bear from the cup and dry using a paper towel to rid
it of excess water.
2. Repeat Exploration A and record your data in day 2 of the chart.
3. Determine the amount of change for each measurement and record in the chart.
4. When you are finished, complete the lab by cleaning up your station and setting
up for the next hour.
5. Record your observations as to what happened to the gummy below.
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Density
Units:
___
Name __________________________ Date _____________ Hour _____________
IDEA
1. What was your hypothesis as to what would happen to the bear? Was it correct?
2. Which change was greater, volume or mass? Why do you think that is?
3. What was the change in density and why do you think it did or did not change?
4. How do your results compare with that of the people in your group. Specifically,
compare mass, volume, and density with that of the people in your group.
5. How were your results different, and why do you think they were different?
EXPANSION: GUMMY GRAPHING
Recall that an experiment involves three variables. The independent variable is
the variable that is changed by the scientist. It is also known as the tested, manipulated,
or experimental variable. The dependent variable is the variable that changes as a result
of what the scientist changes. It is also known as the measured variable. The final
variable is known as a controlled variable. It is a variable that the scientists holds
constant so that the experiment will be accurate and reliable. Use the examples below to
identify the variables involved.
1. Which variable in an experiment is also known as the tested or experimental
variable?
2. Which variable in an experiment is also known as the measured variable?
3. Which variable in an experiment goes on the x-axis of a graph?
4. Which variable in an experiment goes on the y-axis of a graph?
Using appropriate graphs
Use the following scientific investigations to help determine the type of graph that is most
appropriate. (Bar graph, line graph, or pie chart)
5. The number of students Mr. Gipperich has in each hour.
6. The temperature of water is it is heated during twenty minutes of time.
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Name __________________________ Date _____________ Hour _____________
7. The number of students who belong to athletic organizations compared to the total
number of students at DCMS.
8. The number of students at DCMS each year for the past twenty-five years.
9. The populations of every city located in Oklahoma County.
10. The masses of five different objects.
EXPANSION: Part B
1. Scaling: In order to scale the graph you take the range of the numbers (the
highest number and the lowest number), subtract them and divide by the number
of lines on your graph. This will tell you how to divide up your graph evenly so
it’s not all squished onto one area of the graph.
2. Using the data you gathered in the gummy bear lab, create a graph below:
1) Graph Mass vs. Volume
3. Be sure when you create your graphs that all axes are clearly labeled and that a
title is given to your graph.
4. Compare your graphs with that of your group members. Record your findings.
Title: ______________________________________________________________
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