Ice in water

Ice in water

Auto-markingPencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about flotation.

Question

a)  Which diagram correctly shows what happens to an ice cube when it is put in a glass of water?

    • ice cube floating on top of water

    • ice cube floating in water; half in the water and half above

    • ice cube floating in water half way

    • ice cube at the bottom of the water

Question

Your answer was:

 

  • ice cube floating on top of water

  • ice cube floating in water; half in the water and half above

  • ice cube floating in water half way

  • ice cube at the bottom of the water

b)  The answer you chose is correct because ...

    • cold things sink in warm water

    • cold things float in warm water

    • ice is lighter than water

    • ice is heavier than water

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Material World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, forces, flotation, density, ice
Description of task: 
Task: Select which picture correctly shows an ice cube in a glass of water and select correct explanation. Assessment focus: density of ice.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 

Capability: Use evidence

This resource provides opportunities to discuss using logical reasoning and developing science understandings to select the most plausible inference.sing evidence to support an explanation.
Science capabilities: 
Use evidence
Answers/responses: 
   
Y7 (03/1998)
a)
ice cube floating in water; half in the water and half above
 difficult
b) C [ ice is lighter than water] moderate
Diagnostic and formative information: 

  

Common errors

a)

Option D was selected by 35% of students.
Option A was selected by 22% of students.

b)

Option D was selected by 36% of students.