Predicting Practice
Does it sink or does it float?
Pretend that you and a friend have found a box filled with cubes made of different
materials. All of the cubes are the same size, 1cm3. You decide you want to figure out if
each of the cubes will float. First you make a data table to collect your information, then
you weigh each cube and test the first 9 cubes. Your friend brags that she can predict
which of the next 11 cubes will float and which cubes will sink. You challenge that you
think that you can not only predict whether each cube will float or sink, but can also state
why! The challenge is ON!
Table #1: Sinking and Floating Test Results
Sample Material
Mass of cube
Observed results
Apple tree wood
0.84 g
Floated
Asphalt
1.5 g
Sank
Beeswax
0.96 g
Floated
Brick
1.4 g
Sank
Cement
2.7 g
Sank
Cork
0.22 g
Floated
Granite
2.64 g
Sank
Marble
2.84 g
Sank
Paraffin
09.1 g
Floated
Use the information from Table#1 to predict the results of table #2.
Table #2: Sinking/Floating Test Predictions
Sample Material Mass of Cube Predict: Sink or Float
Reason
Anorthite
2.74 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Balsa Wood
0.14 g
Float
Lighter than 1 g
Charcoal
0.57 g
Float
Lighter than 1 g
Coal
1.4 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Diamond
3.52 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Dolomite
2.84 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Ebony wood
1.33 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Glass
2.4 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Peat
0.84 g
Float
Lighter than 1 g
Tar
1.02 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Sealing Wax
1.8 g
Sink
Heavier than 1 g
Cut out the tables and glue into the next blank page of your notebook under the title:
“Prediction Practice”. Number the page and add to your table of contents.
Think about it! You have observed that ice floats on water, write a prediction stating the
mass of an ice cube that is 1cm3. Explain your prediction