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Whatever Floats (or Sinks) Your Can

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Michael J. Sanger

Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (11), p 1632A

DOI: 10.1021/ed083p1632A

Publication Date (Web): November 1, 2006

Abstract

In this activity, based on a popular chemical demonstration, groups of students test whether several cans of carbonated sodas will float or sink when placed in water. The purpose of this activity is to determine which property of the sodas (caffeine content, soda color, or sugar content) is responsible for whether the soda cans float or sink. This activity is intended to introduce students to the concept of density in an inquiry-based manner, and is also useful in teaching students the importance of controlling variables and making meaningful comparisons.

Keywords (Audience):

Elementary / Middle School Science

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Feature):

JCE Classroom Activity

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Consumer Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

JCE Classroom Activity #108. Using Archimedes’ Principle To Explain Floating and Sinking Cans
Michael J. Sanger
Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (3), 272-273
- JCE Classroom Activity #108. Using Archimedes’ Principle To Explain Floating and Sinking Cans
  Michael J. Sanger
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (3), 272-273
  In this activity, students (working alone or in groups) measure the mass of several soda cans (diet and regular soda) along with the mass of water that each can displaces. The students are then asked to compare these two mass values for the sinking cans ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Using Soda Cans To Teach Physical Science Students about Density
Mark M. LaPorte , Michael J. Sanger and Teari C. Humphreys
Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (2), 209
- Using Soda Cans To Teach Physical Science Students about Density
  Mark M. LaPorte , Michael J. Sanger and Teari C. Humphreys
  Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (2), 209
  In this experiment, physical science students measured the mass of several soda cans, measured the mass and volume of water displaced when these cans were placed in water, and determined whether these cans sank or floated in water. Then, the students ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links