Mass Volume & Density

       During this week our class has been experimenting with the relationship of mass and volume, and the different measurements. The main idea of this week has been the relationship of mass and volume. To fully understand the property of mass and volume, our class conducted an experiment and worked through a pogil within their table groups.

       To start off with understanding the concept, we tested the idea of mass and how it affects matter in previous weeks. Later, the idea of volume then came into play. We tested the different volume measurements of water and recorded our information. Once filling a cubed container with water, my table and I measured the length, width and height. We then graphed our calculations into our journals. Knowing that volume is measured in cubic meters (cm^2) or mililiters (mL) and mass is measured in the unit of grams, we furthered our knowledge of these two ideas by carrying out an experiment. This was very interesting because we were able to combine these two ideas into one. We started off doing an experiment with measuring the mass of 5 pieces each of steel, acrylic and aluminum. After doing so, we measured the volume of all 15 pieces. The process of finding the volume was very interesting. For each element (5 pieces each), we carefully put it in a cylinder filled with water. When the water rose, we calculated the before and after measurements and recorded the difference in journals. This is where graping became apart of our research. We were able to use a graphing app on our laptops to our tables information of each element. I feel this process was informational because we were able to figure the property of relationship is density. Density is how packed an object is. For example, an water bottle half filled with water is more dense than an empty water bottle, yet a full water bottle is more dense then a half filled water bottle. This is because denser objects have less empty space in them.
     
       Our research on the subject wasn't over yet. We followed up the experiment with a pogil. Each table group worked through 3 problems and held white-board cessions for each problem. Each problem asked us to determine which figured had more mass, volume and density. I really enjoyed this part of the learning process because I, along with my other classmates were able to not only debate but understand each other views about the two ideas. One problem that kind of split the class in two was third problem in our pogil for this week. We discussed if figure E was more or less dense than figure F. I personally felt that figure E was more dense because density is the mass of a substance and how much space it takes up (which defined as volume). Hence, the relationship being density (p) = g/mL. This being the case, E would be the correct answer.

       I found this week to be very interactive and insightful. I enjoyed being able to collaborate with my table members to do experiments and work through certain roadblocks. I also enjoyed our white-board  table discussions as a class. Being able to learn from one another and ask questions, I feel it allowed us to be more responsible for how own learning. My concept of the main idea is pretty good. I'd say from 1-10, my understanding of the topic is a 10. Although being a ten, I wouldn't mind doing more practice and figure out a problem or doing a worksheet about the topic of density independently. Overall, I feel positive about how the week went and look forward toward what is to come.