Friday, September 25, 2009

Density part 2

Today we learned that density measures how tightly atoms are packed together.


Democritus believed 1) all matter is made of atoms, 2) differences in atoms were in shape and size, 3) atoms were indestructible, and 4) atoms were in constant motion.


Of the four, scientists have proven that 1 and 4 are true. We know that atoms are basically the same shape and are limited in size. Over 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms can be on the head of a pin. Now, would someone tell me in English what number that is?


We also know that atoms are destructible because we split atoms to create atomic bombs and nuclear energy.


Next, we experimented to test the theory that atoms are in constant motion using a bottle of hot and a bottle of cold water to disperse food coloring. I think we have all done this at some point (we have).




The blue dye is in the cold water, demonstrating that atoms in cold water move more slowly than in hot (the green). Both eventually completely mix. Interestingly, the yellow dye mixed in the cold water much more quickly than the blue. Any guesses as to why? I'm not sure. Is it because we can't see the yellow as easily or is there a difference in the density of the colors?


On another note, here's a picture of my daughter working in a workbook.


2 comments:

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

So...I started reading this post in my feed reader and read "density" as "destiny."

Destiny part 2...and then you lost me at atoms. Ha ha.

3 for school said...

I hope I didn't lose my kids! They were able to tell me about it the next day, so I'll take that as a good sign! ;-)

Destiny...density. Sometimes I'm amazed I'm teaching density because science (lectures) were my sleepers. Not the experiments though!