Archimedes
Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
The Earth is made of four main layers: inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. The Earth's crust is in isostatic equilibrium, or balance with the mantle. According to Archimedes' Principle, the ocean crust and continental crust will sink only by adding material to them.
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. Specifically, how do you think the addition of pennies will affect a floating block of wood? Record your hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your Towing for Plankton Scientific Investigation Report.
Equipment and Materials
Procedure and Data Collection
Investigation Set-Up
Block #1 (Heavy Block)
Block #2 (Light Block)
Repeat steps 1-9 above with the light block of wood (Block #2). Record your measurements in the appropriate data table and row.
Data
Use the data table provided in the Data section of your Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report to record your data from this scientific investigation. The required information and the data table are also shown below:
Sample Block Data Table
Number of Pennies | Inches Above the Water |
0 | |
10 | |
12 | |
14 | |
16 | |
18 | |
20 | |
22 | |
24 | |
26 | |
28 | |
30 | |
32 | |
34 | |
36 | |
38 | |
40 | |
42 | |
44 | |
46 | |
48 | |
50 | |
42 | |
44 | |
46 | |
48 | |
50 |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions. Make sure to completely answer each question.
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of your Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion based on your data. Were your hypotheses true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your experience to form your conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the Isostasy Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.