Why Does A Boat Float Density Science Experiment
In this fun and easy density science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate why boats float.
Materials:
- Modeling clay
- Large mixing bowl
- Water
- Pennies
Instructions:
- Roll a lump of clay into a ball and drop it into the water.
- Now remove the clay from the water, flatten it out, and begin shaping it into ways that you think will float.
- Once you create a successful boat, take a penny and place it inside.
- Keep stacking pennies until the boat sinks.
- Keep experimenting with boat shapes and sizes to create one that carries the most pennies.
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How it Works:
The lump of clay is more dense than the water and sinks. When the clays is flattened and shaped like a boat, it becomes less dense and floats. The boat weighs less than the maximum volume of water it can push aside (displace) and can float. As we add pennies to the boat, the weight increases and the boat can no longer displace enough water to stay afloat which causes it to sink.
Make This A Science Project:
Try making different shapes of boats. Add salt to the water and observe any changes in the amount of pennies the boat can hold. Try making boats out of different materials like aluminum foil.
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