Summary

In this lab, students will carry out measurements and calculations to determine whether a bowling ball will sink or float in water.

Grade Level

High school

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

• Understand the concept of density related to sinking and floating.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of

• Density
• Dimensional analysis

Time

Teacher Preparation: 15 minutes

Lesson: 30 minutes

Materials

• Ruler
• String
• Balance
• Bowling ball
• Other measuring tools students may request

Safety

No specific safety precautions are needed for this experiment.

Teacher Notes

Students initially guess that the bowling ball will sink in water. After all the lab groups make measurements and can predict the outcome of the test, I drop a ball into a big plastic storage container full of water. The look on their faces when the 8-lb ball floats is priceless, and it’s a great hook for learning to do math in the first two weeks of school. I also do this as a demo for the parents at Open House and they love it too. It's a good activity and memorable.