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Writer's pictureKara M. Zone

Family Fun Friday, with Science!

Updated: Oct 30, 2018

Howdy Ho, Vallerinos!


Today's family fun activity is a science experiment with water and density. I'll call it "Salt Water Science," although there are different types of water used in the experiment, I couldn't pass up the chance to alliterate.


Photo From Science Kiddos

What' you'll need:

  • Small plastic jewels (You can find these at a dollar story or if you can't, don't worry, raw eggs or small grapes will produce the same results!)

  • Several clear cups full of water (at least four)

  • Salt

  • Sugar

  • Baking Soda

The Steps:

  • Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in one cup, 2 tablespoons of sugar in another cup, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a third cup. Be sure to leave one cup as plain, fresh water. (This is the controlled variable.)

  • Label each cup.

  • Have the kids talk about what might happen. Will the jewels sink or float?

  • Drop the jewels into each cup to find if the kids’ guesses were correct!

The Science Behind the Experiment:

When you add salt to water it makes the water more dense. This means it gets heavier. Many objects that sink in fresh water will float in salt water!


Objects float in the baking soda water because baking soda is a kind of salt. It dissolves in water to make the water more dense, just like table salt does. However, baking soda has another property that gave us a little bit of a surprise!


When baking soda dissolves in water some of it reacts to form carbon dioxide gas. If you look carefully you will see tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of the cup.


What to Talk about with the Family:

  • What was your favorite part of the experiment ?

  • How do you think other items will float (or sink) in water?

  • What other science experiment would you like to try?

  • Test other substances like baking power, sand, corstarch, borax, etc. Talk about how what you and your family think will happen—were you right? Wrong? Was it fun?


~~~


Did you have fun with your science experiment today? If you did, share your experience in our comments below, send us pictures at info@mvfamilycenter.org, or come post your photos on our FB page @MahoningValleyFC!


Have a Great Weekend Mahoning Valley!


Today's activity is brought to you by: ScienceKiddo.com

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