Standard and objective:

2a,b,c,d Accurately measure the characteristics of matter in different states.

a. Use appropriate instruments to determine mass and volume of solids and liquids
and record data.
b. Use observations to predict the relative density of various solids and liquids.
c. Calculate the density of various solids and liquids.
d. Describe the relationship between mass and volume to density.

Activity title: How can you change the density of bread?

Description: Students in small groups will discover how to change the density of a
slice of bread.

Materials needed: One slice of bread, triple beam, metric ruler, calculator,
plastic knife.

Prior knowledge needed: Density, experimental procedures.

Time required: one period

Special teacher procedures, safety notes, and suggestions:

This is to be an inquiry lab. Do not give them exact instructions. They
should be good at setting up experiments and recording data at this
point. Given the tools they will come up with plan of how to change
the density of bread. It should be to squish up the bread into a cube.
They should compute and record the starting density then conduct
their experiment and record the new data.

Student sheet or handout (if needed): see following page or have them write it on
their own paper.

Scoring guide:
Title: Changing the density of Bread.
Name________________________

Purpose: Try to change the density of a slice of bread?

Materials: One slice of bread, triple beam, metric ruler, calculator, plastic
knife.

Prediction: How can you change the density of a slice of bread?

Procedure:
1. Cut the crust off of a slice of bread to that the bread is a square.
2. Measure and record the density of the slice of bread.
3. Plan and conduct your experiment.
4. Measure and record the new density.

Data:
1. Did they have the same mass? _____ Why or why not?
2. Did they have the same volume? _____ Why or why not?
3. What is the density of bread at first?
4. What is the density of the bread now?
5. Why did the density change?
6. Can you think of any other ways to change the density of a slice of
bread?
7. Sketch a picture showing the particles in the bread at first and then
after.

Conclusion: (two things you learned)