Water Displacement
Overview
Discover how scientists can measure the volume and mass of objects using water displacement. This activity demonstrates the same principle famously used by Archimedes.
Materials
Transparent container (graduated cylinder recommended)
Medicine cup
Water
Small objects of various sizes and masses
Masking tape
Marker
Instructions
Fill the transparent container with water.
Use the medicine cup to measure 10 milliliters of water at a time.
Place a strip of masking tape vertically on the side of the container.
Mark the water level after each 10-milliliter addition.
Continue until you have marked 100 milliliters or filled the container.
Place one object into the water and observe how much the water level rises.
Record the change in volume.
Repeat with different objects and compare the results.
What’s Happening?
When an object is submerged in water, it pushes water out of the way. The amount of water displaced is equal to the volume of the object. This principle is called water displacement and is widely used in science and engineering.
Challenge
Can you estimate the mass of an object using only the amount of water it displaces?
