Week 13 Blog

 



This week in lab, we discussed matter, density, and how substances react in different conditions. We began by exploring density with a dice activity. We were given a small dice and a large dice and had to determine which one would sink or float, or if they would have similar behavior. We discovered that the dice both sank because they have a density that is larger than water. We calculated the density by dividing the mass by the volume. We then built on this by revisiting our M&M activity. This time, we were trying to determine which M&M color spreads the fastest and why this happens. My group discovered that the darker colors typically spread out more slowly than the lighter ones. However, we also tested what happens when we change the temperature of the water. When the water temperature was hotter, the M&M color would spread much faster. When the water temperature was cooler, the M&M color would spread much more slowly. We then learned that this is because temperature affects the movement of molecules. In hot water, the molecules move faster, which helps the color coating on the M&M dissolve and spread more quickly. In contrast, cold water has slower-moving molecules, so the color spreads more slowly. 

I was able to relate much of what I learned this week to my prior knowledge from previous science courses. For example, I already had a good understanding of density, and that density is determined by the mass divided by the volume. Therefore, applying this formula throughout the lab was familiar to me. I also remembered learning about how temperature affects the movement of particles in a chemistry class. So, I was able to apply this prior knowledge to better understand why the M&M colors spread faster in warm water. These connections made it easier for me to engage with the experiments and comprehend the results while also deepening my prior knowledge.

Lastly, I think these would both be great activities to use in the future science classroom. I thought these were great hands-on, engaging experiments to help students see science concepts in action. The dice activity is a simple yet effective way to introduce density and get students thinking about why some objects float while others sink. The M&M experiment, on the other hand, would be great to use in my classroom to add some fun and color into learning about how temperature affects the behavior of substances. Overall, both activities encourage curiosity, experimentation, and discussion, making them ideal for helping students develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles. 

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