Heavy Water activity
Written by: Lynne Kelper

How Does the Temperature of Water Affect Its Density?

Directions: (print this page):

This activity explores how the temperature of water affects its density. You will need to gather the following materials: a pencil; a small paper cup; a small-mouthed, clear-glass jar (the cup should be able to sit inside the opening of the jar); three ice cubes; and food coloring.

  1. With the pencil, poke holes in the side of the cup, near the bottom.
  2. Fill the jar with warm water and set the cup inside the mouth of the jar.
  3. Predict what will happen when you add cold, colored water to the cup. Draw your predictions.
  4. Place the ice cubes in the cup and leave them to melt for two minutes. Then, place several drops of food coloring in the water in the cup.
  5. Observe what happens as the colored water in the cup goes through the holes and into the warmer water in the jar. Which seems more dense, the cooler, colored water or the warm water? How can you tell? Draw your observations.

(From Science & Children, March 1996)

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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Heavy Water
  • Author(s): Lynne Kelper
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: December 21, 2009
  • Date accessed: March 6, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/heavy-water

APA Style

Lynne Kelper . (2009, December 21). Heavy Water. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 6, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/heavy-water

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Lynne Kelper . "Heavy Water". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 21 December, 2009. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/heavy-water

MLA 2017 Style

Lynne Kelper . "Heavy Water". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 21 Dec 2009. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 6 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/heavy-water

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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