Buoyancy Explorations Activity

Objective:
To make a typically non-buoyant material float and understand the principle of buoyancy.

Background:
Recall the story on how Archimedes discovered his principle in a bath tub. There is another theory;
view this interesting Ted-Ed video (opens in new window) to learn about it.

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-real-story-behind-archimedes-eureka-armand-d-angour

Open Transcript: The True Story of “Eureka!” (Opens in new window)

Materials needed from the lab kit:

 Modeling clay
 Measuring tape
 Spring scale

Additional materials needed:

 Large container of water or sink filled with water
 Coins

Procedure:
1. Determine the mass of a piece of modeling clay using the spring scale from your lab kit. You
can use the entire container, half the container, or any other portion. Record the mass in
Data Table 1.

2. Form your clay into a cube and measure the length, width, and height in cm. Record this in
Data Table 1.

3. Calculate the volume of your shape. Remember,V =lwh .

 1g
4. Based on the density of water, ρ= 3 , predict whether your object will sink or float when
cm
submerged in water. Record your prediction in Data Table 2.

5. Place your cube in to a container of water (for example, a large bowl, sink, or bathtub) to
see if it floats. Record your data in Data Table 2.

6. Repeat steps 1-4 with modeling clay formed into the shape of a sphere and the shape of a
4 3
pyramid. The volume of a sphere can be calculated with V = π r , and a pyramid can be
3
lwh
calculated with V = .
3

Table 1

Mass Length Width Height Volume Density

Cube

Sphere

Pyramid

Table 2

Prediction: Explanation of Prediction Result:

Float or Float or
Sink? Sink?
Cube

Sphere

Pyramid

7. Now, form your material into the shape of a boat so that it floats. Test your boat in water.
Take a picture of your boat design and include it in your assignment submission. Failure to
include picture will result in a loss of points for the lab.
 8. Place coins into your boat until it is on the verge of sinking. Count the number of coins it is
holding and take another picture to post in the forum.

9. Find the mass of the coins and the mass of your boat to find the total mass. Record in Data
Table 3.

Table 3

Mass in Grams

Boat Mass g

Coin Mass g

Total Mass g

Conclusion:
1. Was your prediction about which shape would float or sink correct? Why or why not?

2. Did the total mass of the clay boat with coins surprise you? Why or why not? Include your
pictures of your successful boat shape.

3. How does the overall density of the floating boat (with or without the coins) compare to
that of the density of water?

4. In terms of Archimedes Principle, how does a large boat float?

5. What did you learn from this lab? (2 sentenced minimum)

Rubric
Common Densities and Masses
 Density of modeling clay ~ 1.3 g/cm3 (can make your own – look up recipe on internet)
 Density of modeling clay ~ 1.5 g/cm3
 Mass of penny – 2.5 grams
 Mass of nickel – 5.0 grams
 Mass of quarter – 5.67 grams
 Mass of dime – 2.27 grams

Data Table #1 All data is correct. 1-2 3-5 6-10 More Table is blank.
30 pts mistake mistake mistake than 10 0 pts
s. s. s. mistake
25 pts 20 pts 15 pts s.
10 pts
Data Table #2 Table is complete Table is complete Table is partially Table is blank.
and correct. All and correct, but complete or there 0 pts
explanations are at least one are major flaws.
reasonable. explanation is 5 pts
10 pts flawed.
8 pts

Data Table #3 Masses are Masses are Masses are No masses.

reasonable. Total reasonable, total provided but are 0 pts
mass is calculated mass is not not reasonable
correctly. calculated values.
10 pts correctly. 5 pts
8 pts

Conclusion #1 Answers question Addresses Addresses Not answered.

completely- success, but success, but no 0 pts
addresses cube, reasoning is reasoning is given.
sphere and lacking or flawed. 5 pts
pyramid 8 pts
predictions and
results.
10 pts
Conclusion #2 Answers question Answer is vague No photo Not answered.
completely- or flawed. Photo provided. 0 pts
discusses number is included. 5 pts
of coins held. 8 pts
Photo of boat is
Data Table #1 All data is correct. 1-2 3-5 6-10 More Table is blank.
30 pts mistake mistake mistake than 10 0 pts
s. s. s. mistake
25 pts 20 pts 15 pts s.
10 pts
included. 10 pts
Conclusion #3 Answers question Answer is vague Does not correctly Not answered.
completely- or flawed. answer the 0 pts
correctly 8 pts question.
compares the 5 pts
density of boat to
density of water.
10 pts
Conclusion #4 Answers question Answer is vague Does not correctly Not answered.
completely- uses or flawed. answer the 0 pts
Archimedes' 8 pts question.
principle to 5 pts
explain why large
boats float.
10 pts
Conclusion #5 Answers question One sentence is Does not correctly Not answered.
completely- two provided and is a answer the 0 pts
sentences are logical statement. question.
provided and 8 pts 5 pts
both are logical
statements.
10 pts