Ten materials, from cork at 0.24 g/cm³ to gold at 19.3 g/cm³, are sorted into sink or float on this 3-page 5th grade science worksheet. Students compare each density with water at 1.0 g/cm³, then predict and test five small classroom objects. Two written questions ask what density means for icebergs and how a heavy steel ship can float. Page 3 holds the answer key.
5-PS1-3
“Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.”
Density comparisons on page 1 predict sinking, and the object test on page 2 checks the prediction.
A rule box says less than 1.0 floats and more than 1.0 sinks. Two tables list cork, pine wood, ice, vegetable oil, a plastic bottle cap, a rubber eraser, a glass marble, aluminum, steel and gold with their densities. Students write sink or float for each.
Students choose five small objects, write a prediction, test each in water and record the result.
Two written questions. Ice is 0.92 g/cm³, so what does that mean for icebergs? Steel is 7.8 g/cm³, so why can a steel ship float?
All ten sink or float answers, a note that the object test varies, and written answers on icebergs and ships.
Before the water
Fill in page 1 first, then collect the water tub. Students who predicted before testing have something to confirm or argue with.
Watch the close calls
Ice, vegetable oil and the plastic cap all sit at 0.90 to 0.92. Ask students why three different things float at nearly the same density.
Steel ship
Hold up a ball of foil and a foil boat. Question 3 makes sense once students see the same metal do both.
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