Name ____________________________

Date ________________

Popcorn Anyone?
Which can hold more popcorn?

Prism A:
1. Take the white paper and fold it in half the long
way.
2. Do this a 2nd time.
3. You are forming a baseless rectangular prism
that is tall and narrow. Do not overlap the
sides.Tape along the edge.
4. Label it Prism A.
Prism B:
1. Take the colored paper and fold it in half the
wide way.
2. Do this a 2nd time.
3. You are forming a baseless rectangular prism
that is short and stout. Do not overlap the
sides. Tape along the edge.
4. Label it Prism B.

1. Make a prediction. Which prism will hold more popcorn? Why do you think this?
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2. Measure the length, width, and height of each dimension with a ruler. Record your data below
and on the rectangular prism for Prism A. Measure the length, width, and height of each
dimension with a ruler. Record your data below and on the rectangular prism for Prism B.
Dimension

Prism A (white paper)

Prism B (colored paper)

Length (in)
Width (in)
Height (in)
Area of the Base (in2)
Volume (in3)

3. Place Prism B on the paper plate with Prism A inside it. Use your cup to pour popcorn into
Prism A until it is full. Carefully, lift Prism A so that the popcorn falls into Prism B. Describe
what happened. Is Prism B full, not full, or overflowing?
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4. Was your predication correct? How would you support that claim?
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If your prediction was incorrect, describe what actually happened.
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5. Explain why the prisms do not hold the same amount. Use the formula for volume of a prism
to guide your explanation.
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