Properties of Matter

There is a strong tradition of beginning physics with careful measurements of volumes and masses and calculations of densities...

Teaching Guidance 11-14

This activity allows pupils to make some measurements to measure the density of a material for themselves.

Classroom Activity 11-14

To appreciate the idea of density just imagine you can look deep inside a material. If the particles are packed closely...

Physics Narrative 11-14

For equivalent volumes of substances the statement heavy things sink and light things float is close to being true. However...

Teaching Guidance 11-14

One piece of foil will sink and the other will float. The piece of foil scrunched above water traps some of the air, which...

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

Food colouring and oil don't mix, and as the two separate the food colouring sinks into the water, leaving trails of colours.

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

The salt increases the density of the liquid, which means less of it is picked up when the straws are lifted.

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

After about 20 mins the juice and the water will have swapped places because water is less dense than sugary fruit juice.

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

The diver sinks when you squeeze the bottle, and rises when you let go. Squeezing the bottle squeezes everything inside it...

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

You should find that the orange floats when its skin is still on, but sinks after you peel it off! Orange skin is full of tiny...

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

You should find that the diet or unsweetened drinks float and the sugary ones sink. Now weigh each can. Whether something...

Enrichment Activity 5-11 11-14

Curated resources with practical work that students can complete at home, or that teachers can use when giving demonstrations...

Remote teaching support 11-14 14-16 16-19