Floating Away

Mrs. Walker’s Second Grade Class

Does the mass of the fruit affect whether the fruit will sink or float?

Problem

HypothesisIf we place fruit of different masses in a container of water, then we think that the cantaloupe and the apple will sink because they have more mass. We also think that the lemon will float because it has less mass.

HypothesisCantaloupe

votes Sink 14Float 2

Apple votes Sink 9Float 7

We think the apple will sink.

We think the apple will float.

We think the cantaloupe will sink.

We think the cantaloupe will float.

Hypothesis

Lemon votesSink 1Float 15

I think that the lemon will sink.

We believe that the lemon will float.

Materials

• Water• Clear

Container• Lemon • Cantaloupe• Apple

Procedures1. Drop the cantaloupe in the water and

record whether it sinks or floats.2. Repeat step 1 two more times and record the data.3. Drop the lemon in the water and

record whether it sinks or floats.4. Repeat step 3 two more times and

record the data.5. Drop the apple in the water and

record the data.6. Repeat step 5 two more times and

record the data.

Variables

We used different types of fruits.

Constants

The water stayed the same.

Results/Data

Trials Apple Cantaloupe

Lemon

Trial 1 Float Sink Float

Trial 2 Float Sink Float

Trial 3 Float Sink Float

Results/Data

Fruit that Sunk Fruit that Floated

Cantaloupe Apple

Lemon

Fruit Weight (Grams)

Cantaloupe 3,000

Lemon 60

Apple 240

Conclusion

In our hypothesis we stated that the cantaloupe and the apple would sink. Our hypothesis for the cantaloupe was correct, but not for the apple. Our hypothesis that the lemon would sink was correct. We concluded that the cantaloupe did sink because it has more mass and the rest of the fruits floated because they have less mass.

Bibliographyhttp://www.brainpopjr.com/science/forces/sinkorfloat/Sink or FloatThis video explains the factors that determine whether an object sinks or floats.

http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sink+or+floatSink or FloatThis website explains the process of sinking and floating.

https://www2.houstonisd.org/portal/site/CurriculumThis website has lessons, books, and additional resources regarding mass.