Purpose
Procedure
1.
2.
or
Hypothesis
3.
4.
Materials
1.
2.
3.
Soft
Drink
Coca
Cola
Diet
Coke
Pepsi
4.
5.
5.
Data Table
Diet
Pepsi
Sunkist
Prediction
Result
Mass
Volume
6.
Conclusions
Soft Drink Product Label Information
Coca Cola Classic
Pepsi
Serving Size:1 can = 355 mL
Serving Size:1 can = 355 mL
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories 140
Fat 0g
Sodium 50 mg
Total Carb. 39g
Sugar 39g
Protein 0g
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories 150
Fat 0g
Sodium 30 mg
Total Carb. 41g
Sugar 41g
Protein 0g
Sunkist Orange Soda
Diet Coke
Diet Pepsi
Serving Size:1 can = 355 mL
Serving Size:1 can = 355 mL
Serving Size:1 can = 355 mL
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories 190
Fat 0g
Sodium 45 mg
Total Carb. 52g
Sugar 52g
Protein 0g
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories 0
Fat 0g
Sodium 40 mg
Total Carb. 0g
Sugar 0g
Protein 0g
NUTRITION FACTS
Calories 0
Fat 0g
Sodium 45 mg
Total Carb. 0g
Sugar 0g
Protein 0g
Float or Sink: Modeling Science Fair Answer Sheet
Float or Sink is a black-line master you can use to model the science fair project process with your students. When completed the legal page printout
can be folded to look like a science fair project board with all the required project labels and information provided and practices by the student.
Purpose: Students write the purpose of the experiment.
To determine how the density, mass per volume, affects a can of soda in the water.
Hypothesis: Student writes a prediction for what they think each can will do when placed in a container of water.
(I think) The regular sodas will … or The diet sodas will … or All the sodas will … (student fills in the rest)
Materials: Students lists the materials needed to complete the investigation.
1, clear plastic jar/container large enough to sink a 12 oz. Soda can under water
1, each of the following soft drinks in 12 oz. aluminum cans: Coca Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Sunkist Orange Soda
1, balance with gram weights (150 grams of weights) or electronic scale that measure in grams
Black-line master for Float or Sink with soda Product Nutrition Label printed on the back
Procedure: Students paraphrase and write the steps of the experimental test.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use the Product Nutrition Labels to record the liquid volume in milliliters (mL) and mass of each soda (sugar) in grams (g).
Predict which Sodas will Float or Sink
Write your Hypothesis Statement (as a testable question)
Test your Hypothesis by placing each can in the plastic container filled with water. Do three trials for each soda to confirm results.
Dry and then weigh each can in grams to determine the total mass including the aluminum cans mass. (You could ignore this step because the mass
of all the aluminum cans should be identical, but it may help some student’s ’explain why their hypothesis (predictions).
Conclusion: Students explain their experimental results.
Do your results support or reject your hypotheses? All the Sodas selected with sugar should sink below the water and the diet sodas should all float. The
difference in density is caused by the additional mass caused by the sugar (and sodium*) in each beverage.
*NOTE: Because the sodium (salt) in milligrams (mg) indicated on each nutrition label is less than 0.5 grams the additional mass it contributes is
insignificant to the outcome of the experiment. So, not to confuse students with different metric units or conversions all they have to record is the
amount of sugar in grams (Total Carb. refers to the carbohydrate/calories in the soda and so is equal to the amount of sugar in grams).