Will the jars float or sink?

Will the jars float or sink?

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

jar-A.png

Air

jar-B.png

Water

jar-C.png

Sand

jar-D.png

Air

A student had four glass jars each with tight lids. The jars were full of either air, water, or sand. 
Each jar was put into a bucket of water.

Question 1Change answer

Select whether the jars would float or sink below.
 
i)   Jar A FloatSink
 
ii)  Jar B FloatSink
 
iii) Jar C FloatSink
 
iv) Jar D FloatSink
Task administration: 
This task can be complete with pencil and paper or online with auto-marking.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Material World
Keywords: 
properties, physical properties, flotation, sinking
Description of task: 
Students state if each of four jars containing different substances would sink or float.
Curriculum Links: 
Knowledge:
To answer this resource, students need to draw on their prior knowledge.
Answers/responses: 
   Y6 (09/1998)
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)		 Float
Sink
Sink
Float		 4 correct – easy

2-3 correct – very easy
 
NOTE:
Students could be followed up to ask to justoify their answer, e.g., eplxoring ideas like "air is lighter than water, so the jars with air (even different sized) will float" and "the jar with sand and the jar with water are both heavier than water, so will both sink".