Citrus Sink or Float Experiment
Captain Cortland gathered a basket of bright Citrus Isle oranges and invited the crew to help solve a mystery: Does a citrus fruit sink or float - and does the peel make a difference?
- Two large glasses or bowls
- Water
- Two small oranges
- Citrus peeler of knife for adult-use
Prep: Fill two large glasses (or bowls) 3/4 full with water. Peel one orange, leaving the other completely unpeeled.
Predict: Ask children what they think will happen when they drop the oranges in the water. Will the fruit sink or float? Does the peel matter? Record your hypothesis.
Test the peeled orange. Gently lower the peeled orange into the water. Watch closely - does it drift, bob, or sink straight to the bottom?
Test the unpeeled orange. Observe what happens and record your results.
Compare your predictions with the results of your experiment. What did your crew discover?