PhET- Density Activity- Funsheet
Custom Section
Material
Styrofoam
Name_____________
Mass (kg)
0.75
Volume (L)
5.00
Density (kg/L)
0.15
Does it Float?
Yes
2.00
5.00
0.4
Yes
4.60
5.00
.92
Yes
10.00
5.00
2.00
No
13.50
5.00
2.70
No
Wood
Ice
Brick
Aluminum
1. In the custom setting, choose the ‘My Object’ option in the material drop down
box. Set the mass of your object to 4 kg. Adjust the volume to find the minimum
volume needed to make the object float.
Volume____7.01_____________
Density___0.57_______________
2. How does the density of a large piece of aluminum compare to a small piece?
It’s exactly the same
Same Mass Section
Material
Blue
Mass (kg)
5
Volume (L)
5
Density (kg/L)
1
Does it Float?
No
5
5
1
Yes
5
2.50
2
No
5
1.25
4
No
Mass (kg)
6
Volume (L)
5
Density (kg/L)
1.2
Does it Float?
No
8
5
1.6
No
4
4
1
Yes
2
2
1
Yes
Yellow
Green
Red
Same Volume Section
Material
Blue
Yellow
Green
Red
3. Looking at the data on the previous page, what must be true about the density of
an object in order for it to float?
It has to have a density of 1
Same Density Section:
4. Calculate the density of the blue object in this section.
Mass ________3 kg_____
Volume____3 L___________
Density______1__________
5. Explain why both the yellow and red objects float when they have different sizes.
They both have a density of 1
Mystery Section:
6. Before you start, pick an object that you think will float. ___D________________________
Pick an object that you think will sink. ____E_____________________
Material
A
B
Mass (kg)
65.14
Volume (L)
3.38
Density (kg/L)
19.27
Does it Float?
No
.64
.64
1
Yes
4.08
10.20
0.4
Yes
3.10
3.10
1
Yes
3.53
1
3.53
No
C
D
E
7. In the Custom section describe the difference between how Styrofoam and ice
floated. Also explain why you think this is the case?
Styrofoam almost bounced as it was floating to the top of the water and floated very
quickly. Ice floated much more slower than Styrofoam. I believe the difference in
density is why this is happening.
8. In the Same Mass Section discuss what was interesting about the blue object’s
behavior in the water.
It sunk to the bottom at a gradual slow pace
9. In the Mystery Section, click on the “Show Table” button. What is the most dense
object on the list? Write its density as well.
Gold is the most dense object. It has a density of 19.3
10. List something you learned from this activity. I learned that the bigger the
volume, the lower the density.