Quicksand Query: Using a popular fallacy to teach about density and volume

by: Pamela Galus

A popular misconception—quicksand sucks people under—is used to teach students about density. In a series of lab activities, students create quicksand, determine its density, and measure the density of water and irregular objects. Students learn that people can float or swim in quicksand because quicksand is more dense than water.

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 11/1/2001Stock # tst01_068_08_32Volume 068Issue 08

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Susanne Hokkanen (Orland Park, IL)
Susanne Hokkanen (Orland Park, IL)

A Real World Is it Real or Is is Hollywood Lesson

I really like the ideas presented in this article on how to teach density in a fun and engaging way. I especially liked how the author/article addressed the misconception of "sinking in qui... See More

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