Which materials float and sink?

In this lesson, we will be investigating different materials and their properties. We will be exploring which materials float and which materials sink, then we will be making comparisons while looking at their properties. Do all hard materials sink? Do all soft materials float? If you would like to take part in the experiment you will need a coin or small metal object, a cotton ball or pad, stones, a pencil and a bowl of water. Otherwise, you can watch me conduct the experiment while observing the outcomes.

Which materials float and sink?

In this lesson, we will be investigating different materials and their properties. We will be exploring which materials float and which materials sink, then we will be making comparisons while looking at their properties. Do all hard materials sink? Do all soft materials float? If you would like to take part in the experiment you will need a coin or small metal object, a cotton ball or pad, stones, a pencil and a bowl of water. Otherwise, you can watch me conduct the experiment while observing the outcomes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Predicting whether materials will float or sink based on how heavy they are
  2. Testing whether different materials float or sink

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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6 Questions

Q1.
1) Which of these is a material?
Correct answer: Cotton
Kettle
Q2.
1) Which of these is a material?
Correct answer: Cotton
Kettle
Q3.
2) Which of these is an object?
Leather
Correct answer: Spoon
Q4.
2) Which of these is an object?
Leather
Correct answer: Spoon
Q5.
3) Choose 2 words to describe the properties of most metals.
Absorbent
Correct answer: Hard
Correct answer: Opaque
Soft
Transparent
Q6.
3) Choose 2 words to describe the properties of most metals.
Absorbent
Correct answer: Hard
Correct answer: Opaque
Soft
Transparent

3 Questions

Q1.
1) Cotton is light, while metal is heavy. Which material do you think will float or sink? Choose 2 answers.
Correct answer: Cotton will float
Cotton will sink
Metal will float
Correct answer: Metal will sink
Q2.
2) Leaves are light, while glass is heavy. Which material do you think will float or sink? Choose 2 answers.
Glass will float
Correct answer: Glass will sink
Correct answer: Leaves will float
Leaves will sink
Q3.
3) Choose 2 words to describe the properties of wool.
Correct answer: Absorbent
Hard
Opaque
Correct answer: Soft
Transparent

Lesson appears in

UnitScience / Materials

Science