Diving Ketchup
In this activity, you will
Make a ketchup packet sink without touching it!
Supplies Required
Ketchup or Mustard Packet
Water
2-Liter Plastic Bottle with Cap
Small Bowl Full of Water
The Challenge
Can you sink an object that naturally floats in water without touching it?
Problem and Hypothesis
[contact-form-7 id="18628" title="STEM book form SCI 1"]Let’s Experiment and Build!
Instructions
- Test to make sure your ketchup packet floats by placing it in a bowl of water. If it sinks try another packet until you find one that floats.
- Place a ketchup packet that floats in the bottle.
- Fill up the bottle to the rim with water and secure the cap.
- The packet should be floating at the top of the bottle. Grab the bottle with both hands and squeeze as hard as you can.
- Observe what happens to the ketchup packet when you squeeze the bottle? What happens when you let go?
Experiment, Analysis, and Conclusion
[contact-form-7 id="18626" title="STEM book form SCI 2"]Think about it and Additional Resources
Now try this! Add a few tablespoons of salt to the water in the bottle and try this experiment again. Does the water change how the ketchup packet behaves?
For more activities like this one, go to www.projectexploration.org/stemhome. If you’re interested in learning more about Project Exploration and our free events, programs, and activities, please find us on social media and be sure to follow!
Call or text us for help: 312-772-6634
In these videos, you’ll learn:
- What makes objects float and sink
- What density means related to objects