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or Sink Float using scientific processes to investigate Sink or Float: The following activity is an easy way to understand how a scientific method is used in science. Start your investigation with questions – Are regular and diet soft drinks the same density? Is the amount of sugar the only difference in the two drinks? Start by examining and making observations of the two cans. When you compare the label of a regular (sugar) drink to its complimentary diet drink you notice a big difference in the amount of calories. This will lead you to formulate a hypothesis, an idea that can be tested. Now you need to test your hypothesis. Take the regular soft drink and place it carefully in the water. Make sure the water is deep enough to completely cover the can. Record the result. Repeat the test with the diet drink. Collect the data from each test. The more tests – the more data to support your hypothesis. After collecting data from repeated tests you can interpret the results and come to a conclusion. You should be able to conclude that for this brand of soft drinks regular and diet sodas act differently. This was the outcome of your investigation. You learned that some soft drinks are more dense than water because they sink, and some soft drinks are less dense than water because they float. Question Make observations Consult prior knowledge Formulate a hypothesis Test hypothesis Collect data Interpret data Draw conclusions Share knowledge Make more observations One type of Scientific Method Materials: Empty two-liter bottle (top cut off), one can diet soda, one can regular soda, water. Step One: Ask Questions ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Step Two: Make Observations Compare the two cans of soda using words. Diet Soda Regular Soda _________________ ________________ _________________ ________________ _________________ ________________ Step Three: Form a Hypothesis (Which is denser?) ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Step Four: Collect Data Record the results of multiple tests in the chart below. Step Five: State a Conclusion Interpret (explain) the results of your tests and state your conclusion. You must use the following words in your explanation: dense, data, regular soda, and diet soda. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Science Investigation Rick Crosslin Test One Test Two Test Three Test Four Regular Soda Sink Float Sink Float Sink Float Sink Float Diet Soda Sink Float Sink Float Sink Float Sink Float Test Five Sink Float Sink Float
