Floating and Falling Flows

Each group needs:

• 2 sheets of white paper (to use as a backdrop)
• Tape (to affix white paper securely to wall and tabletop)
• Pencils (for completing the worksheets)
• Student Instructions Handout (PDF), one per group
• Positive Buoyancy Worksheet (PDF), one per person
• Negative Buoyancy Worksheet (PDF), one per person
• Paper towels (in case of spills)
• Digital camera (optional)

Figure 2. Activity materials.CopyrightCopyright Cody Taylor and Gala Camacho, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2005. All rights reserved.

For Positive Buoyancy Station (see Figure 2):

• 1 rectangular glass container or vase (no smaller than 15 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm, or 6 in x 4 in x 3 in; available at hobby or craft supply stores)
• 32 oz (960 ml) corn syrup
• 16 oz (480 ml) isopropyl alcohol (99% recommended but 70% may be used)
• Water (exact amount depends on size of glass container)
• 1 syringe with needle removed (around 10cc; available at pharmacy or hardware stores)
• 4 in (10 cm) of 1/16th-in (.16 cm) diameter tubing attached to opening of syringe (tubing available at pet store as fish tank air line tubing)
• 1 small squeeze bottle of food coloring (blue or green preferred, but red may be used)
• 1 paper or plastic cup

For Negative Buoyancy Station:

• 1 rectangular glass container (no smaller than 15 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm, or 6 in x 4 in x 3 in; available at hobby or craft supply stores)
• Water (exact amount depends on size of glass container)
• 1 small squeeze bottle of food coloring (blue or green preferred, but red may be used)
• 1 syringe with needle removed (around 10cc; available at pharmacy or hardware stores)