Chapter 1: Matter
Lesson 1.4: Practical: To investigate the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids Lesson overview OCR Specification reference Prac P1 (materials)
Learning objectives • • • •
Interpret observations and data. Use spatial models to solve problems. Plan experiments and devise procedures. Use an appropriate number of significant figures in measurements and calculations.
Learning outcomes • [O1] Plan and carry out an investigation into the density of irregularly shaped objects, gathering data for mass and volume.
• [O2] Use generated data to determine the density of a material, such as modelling clay. • [O3] Obtain a precise and reliable set of data by investigation, using appropriate numbers of significant figures.
Skills development • Think scientifically: analyse data. • Work scientifically: present evidence. • Learner development: collaborate effectively. Maths focus • Calculate means (averages). • Keep consistent units. Resources needed real house brick and foam house brick (or example of real and fake concrete if preferred), eureka can, mini whiteboards, pens, 100 ml measuring cylinder, modelling clay, 250 ml beaker, water, balance accurate to 1 g or 0.1 g; Worksheet 1.4, Practical sheet 1.4, Technician’s notes 1.4 Digital resources video of Archimedes and Eureka, such as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijj58xD5fDI&feature=youtu.be Key vocabulary displaced liquid, density, mass, volume, significant figures, resolution
Teaching and learning Engage • Create some intrigue towards density by using the props suggested in Technician’s notes 1.4, ideally the fake foam brick. Drop one of each prop into some volunteers’ hands after asking them, in pairs, to predict what they would feel if you increased the height from which the props were dropped. [O1]
• Use mini whiteboards to answer some quick questions, starting with, “What weighs most, a tonne of feathers or a tonne of bricks?” Then ask a few more (no calculators), for example, “What is the unit of mass? The unit of volume? The formula for density? The density of a liquid that has a mass of 400 kg and a volume of 0.4 m3 (higher demand)? A mass of 2000 kg and a volume of 2 m3 (standard demand)?” [O2]
• Show a video of Archimedes and Eureka, such as https://youtu.be/ijj58xD5fDI. Ask students to think, discuss in pairs and share: how could we determine the density of an irregularly shaped object in the lab using basic equipment? What observation will be made? [O2, O3]
OCR Gateway GCSE Physics: Teacher Pack
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