Watered down

Do objects fall through different liquids at the same speed?

Do not choose liquids which may be dangerous.

Do not drink any of the liquids after the investigation.

PLAN

Fill each of the containers with a different liquid.

Drop marbles into each of the containers of liquid at exactly the same time.

Observe which marble reaches the bottom first.

I WILL NEED

Several identical transparent (see-through) containers.

Various liquids (e.g.: water, washing-up liquid, cooking oil, lemonade, etc.)

Marbles.

Paper and pencil.

I MAY NEED

Stopwatch.

FAIR TEST

Make sure your containers are identical in size and shape and all contain the same amount of liquids.

Make sure your marbles are all the same size.

PREDICTION

Which liquid do you think will slow down the marble most?

Which will slow it down least?

Why do you think so?

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

It may be rather difficult to drop several marbles at exactly the same time and then judge which reaches the bottom first.

What could you do to overcome this problem?

(You may have to repeat parts of the investigation)

COLLECT

DATA

Which marble reached the bottom quickest?

Record clearly and neatly.

ANALYSE

DATA

What does this investigation tell you about the liquids you used?

PRESENT

FINDINGS

Explain why you used the method you used?

What is the best way to show your findings?

EVALUATE

INVESTIGATION

What could you have done to get more accurate  results?

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