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Floating Play Dough
 


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Floating & Sinking Experiment

Floating Play Dough - Can you make play dough float like a boat?

 

Materials you will need:

• Play Dough
• Sink or Bucket
• Water

Steps:

1. Fill the sink or bucket with water.
2. Place a ball of play dough in the water.
3. What happens to the ball of play dough?
4. Take the ball of play dough out of the water and mould it into the shape of a boat.
5. Place the boat made of play dough into the water.
6. What happens to the play dough?

What makes boats float?

Water supports a boat by pushing upwards on the bottom of the boat and therefore it does not sink. Water cannot support a boat if it has a very heavy load. A very heavy load would cause a boat to sink. Also, the shape of a boat plays an important role in floating. If you took some play dough in the shape of a ball it would sink; but if you mould it into the shape of a boat it would float.

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