Jessie Padilla and Zach McConahy
Properties of Water
Objective:
Students will be able to:
● Compare identical volumes of solid to liquid water to see that there is “more” liquid water in
the same space
● Compare identical masses of solid to liquid water to see that the solid state has greater
volume
● Observe the physical characteristics of ice in water to determine that water in the liquid state
has a greater density than water in the solid state
● Observe the reaction between colored ice and water to observe and explain why the colored
water sinks as it changes from solid to liquid state
● Collect data regarding the mass, volume, and density of water in both solid and liquid states
● Make observable conclusions regarding the physical properties of water in different states
● Research and find evidence regarding the molecular/crystalline properties of water in the solid
and liquid states which supports our measurements and observations
 Compare the unique properties of water with that of other liquids (specifically alcohol) do not
share.
Hypothesis:
Equal masses of liquids in fluid and solid states have different volumes and densities.
Designing Investigation:
The instructor will help the students explore this hypothesis by using measurements from both
scales and graduated containers, as well as combining the two states to compare densities as
they combine with one another. Students will be looking at the properties of water and alcohol in
their solid, liquid (cold and warm) states. This includes examining density, mass, and volume.
Students will back up their findings with research into the chemical properties of water and other
substances at a molecular level.
Part 1 - Liquid and ice mass/volume comparison. Using scales or balances students will
compare the relation between equal volumes of ice or very cold substance and liquid and their
mass and/or the relation between equal masses and their volumes. This can be accomplished
by filling two containers with equal masses or volumes of room temperature water/alcohol in one
and a prepared sample of solid ice or very cold alcohol in the other.
Part 2 - Liquid water and ice density. Students will use the information gathered in test 1
explain why ice floats on water. Students can follow up their explanation by placing other
objects into water (buttons, corks, marbles etc.) and predicting which will float and which will
sink. This will help demonstrate the concept that less dense objects float on more dense ones.
Part 3 - Warm and cold water density. Finally, students will be asked to predict what will
happen when liquids of two different temperatures meet. Student will place instructor prepared
colored ice cubes (several drops of food coloring placed in water before freezing) in transparent
containers of hot water. For comparison, they will place very cold alcohol in containers of room
temperature alcohol. They will observe the cold colored liquids and how they move in the
warmer fluids.