We've got some Mass, Volume, & Density

Science is fun!

Since our current science lesson was on matter, it only seemed right to really examine some practical and fun objects in our own home. I picked out a few items like a rock, penny, water balloon, air balloon, & vegetable oil. She included a Littlest Pet Shop, eraser, frog (toy), & gummy worms.

Part 1 - Observe Matter

Time to talk matter:

It is not to complicated because matter is anything that takes up space... aka, Stuff!

We examined matter: 

It's shape, color, size, texture, & other features were noted in her science journal. She loved picking up each item one-by-one and really noting details.

Part 2 - Examining Mass

Time to talk mass:
Mass is how much matter makes up an object (the amount of atoms that make it up). Mass is not to be confused with weight. Mass does not change (while weight can).

We examined mass:

Each item was put on the scale and the mass was recorded. She loved being able to do all of this independently. However, she did not like that many of our objects rolled... making it more challenging.

Even the liquid was put on the scale, which took some extra explaining:

Mass of Container with Liquid - Mass of Container without Liquid = Mass of Liquid

(Note - make sure to get the Mass of Container without Liquid before you put it on the scale with the oil, water, or other liquid inside it.)

Part 3 - Density & Volume

We tackled both of these during the same part of the lab... with water in a measuring cup.  We filled one clear measuring cup with 250 mL of water.
And what kid doesn't like to play with water?!?!

Time to talk about density:

For an object to be bouyant, or float, it must have less density then what it is floating in. 

It the object sinks then it has more density then what it is floating in.

We examined density:

We predicted: Would the object float or sink?

Then we placed our items into the measuring cup (saving the liquids for last). We noted whether it float or sank in the journal.

Time to talk volume:

Volume refers to the amount of space the object takes up. In other words, volume measures of the size of an object.

We examined volume:

Amount of Water with Item - Amount of Water without Item (250 mL) = Volume of Item

Time to note additional info:

Did the object change shape? Did the object expand to fill the space?

The experiment took quite a bit of time and required some pre-organization. And on her part... a lot of writing (which she made sure to tell me multiple times). However, it was fun and we both got to put our lesson to the test.

Be your own scientist...

All matter (everything around you) has both volume and mass.

FYI - there are actually some things in the universe that aren't matter. These are called abstract, which means they don't have a physical existence. Some examples include energy, heat, light and sound. And so, these abstract things have no volume or mass.

• Matter – Anything that takes up space. Aka: Stuff
• Mass – Amount of matter that fits in a given space, or amount of matter or substance that makes up an object, or amount of atoms in a given object.
• Weight – A measure of the force of gravity on an object. Materials with more density weigh more. Think heaviness.
• Density – How closely packed together the molecules of a substance are.
• Buoyancy – Ability to float or rise to the top of a liquid or gas.
• Volume – How much space a substance takes up. Think size.

The confusing relationship between weight and mass:
On earth, a bowling ball can weigh about 10 pounds. It will weigh much less on the moon because the gravitational pull of the moon is less than the gravitational pull on the earth.The bowling ball has the same amount of mass on earth as it does on the moon or anywhere else you take it.

• Weight is a measure of gravitational pull.
• Weight changes depending on where you weigh it.
• Mass does not change, no matter where it is.

Density has to do with buoyancy, or the ability of objects to float in water (or air). Whether or not an object has buoyancy depends mostly on two factors: 

1. The amount of water an object displaces.
2. The density of an object. 

Examples: A pebble or rock is dense and displaces very little water, therefore it sinks. However, a ping-pong ball or littlest pet shop is not very dense and displaces more water, therefore it floats. 

Thanks to any sites I used to get more facts!