Help! I’m Drowning Name ____________________________________
Background Information
Would you rather drown n salt water or fresh water? Of course this is a really silly question. Drowning is frowning, no matter what type of water you drown in. But suppose the question was stated differently: “Imagine that you are in danger of drowning. Would you rather be in fresh water or salt water?” Keep this questioning mind as you carry out this activity.
pen with waterproof ink
ruler
scissors
beaker (about 1 L)
stirring rod
modeling clay
plastic drinking straw
table salt
balance
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No salt |
10 g Salt |
20 g salt |
30 g Salt |
40 g Salt |
Ice Water |
Height of straw in water |
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1. How did the position of the straw change as you added more salt to the water?
2. What does this tell you about the way objects float in salt water compared with the way objects float in the fresh water?
3. Suppose you were in danger of drowning. What would be an advantage of being in salt water?
4. What other factors might come into play as you consider whether you would rather be in fresh water or in salt water if you were in danger of drowning?
5. How did the position of the straw change when you added the ice cubes.
6. Explain why the temperature makes a difference