Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 6, Issue 1, Article 3 (June, 2005) Suat ÜNAL & Bayram COŞTU Problematic issue for students: Does it sink or float? Previous Contents

Appendix 1

The lab activity to remedy the misconception that mass or weight determines whether an object will sink or float.

SINKING AND FLOATING
Activity 1. Effect of the mass of an object on floatation

Materials for Each Group:	Electronic scale
	A large container
	A candle
	A marble
	A rubber ball

First Step: Weigh the masses of the candle, the marble and the rubber ball by using an electronic scale. Write down the masses of the objects in the table.

Objects	Weights
The candle
The marble
The rubber ball

Predict which of the objects will sink or float. Please write down your prediction. Why do you think this? Please explain your reasons.

 

Second Step: Fill almost half of the container with water. Afterwards, put the candle, the marble and the rubber ball into the container gently. What did you observe? Which sank or floated? Please write down your observations.

 

Were your earlier predictions correct? Compare the differences between the predictions about which objects will sink or float and the result of the experiments. If there is a difference between your predictions and the results of experiment, what do you think your earlier predictions were incorrect?

 

Summarization Question (Discuss with members of your group): After the experiments, do you think that mass or weight determines whether an object will sink or float? Do heavier objects always sink, but lighter objects float?

 

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