Matter Matters!
The science experiments and demonstrations Mrs. Ranney has been sharing with us about matter, really matter. We have learned so much!
FACT: Matter has three states, solid, liquid, or gas.
The experiments done with Mrs. Ranney explored the gas we call air. Here are the physical properties of air: takes up space, has mass, exerts pressure, and can move.
The fabulous Mrs. Ranney shared several lessons.
#1 Air (a gas) has mass. Two balloons were filled equally. The one on the right was popped. When the balloon was popped, the mass of air was released making the right side lighter. Because it was lighter, the right side rose up.
#2 Air (a gas) exerts pressure. First, each student held a piece of paper to their stomach. When they removed their hand and started walking, the paper fell to the ground. Gravity prevailed!
Second, students held a piece of paper to their stomachs. When they removed their hand and started running, the paper stuck to their bodies! The invisible air pushed against the paper holding it in place.
The student on the left was FASTER than the student on the right.
#3 Air (a gas) exerts pressure. Student were given a cup of water and a straw. Each student placed the straw in the water. Then each student covered the top of the straw with their finger. Finally, they removed the straw from the water (with the finger still covering the top). Air pressure outside of the straw pushed against the water via the bottom (open end) of the straw. When the finger was removed from the top, the water fell back into the cup...or somewhere else!
#4 Air (a gas) exerts pressure. Here is the same experiment done with a cup instead of the straw. Air pressure is exerted on the card holding the water in place. Yes, the cup is upside down! Science is cool!
#5 Air (a gas) takes up space.
Mrs. Ranney placed a DRY paper towel in cup. The towel was taped to the cup so it would not fall out when she inverted it. Next, Mrs. Ranney placed the inverted cup into a container of water. Snappy had a close look, and confirmed that the paper towel was dry when removed from the water. Truly, air takes up space, even thought we cannot see it!
What was your favorite experiment or demonstration?
Do you have a question or comment for Mrs. Ranney?
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI loved your creative science experiments. It was so delightful to have you come to our class. My favorite experiment was when you took the cup filled with water and put water around the rim of it. After that, you put a tracking card on top of the cup and then you dumped it over and none of the water came out. The reason the water didn't come out was because the tracking card blocked it. The reason the card was stuck, was from the water on the rim of it.
What other experiments can you do to demonstrate the same concept?
Sincerely,
Sean Your Science Buddy
@Sean,
DeleteI'm so glad you've been enjoying the science experiments I have brought! I must say that the experiment you explained was my favorite that day too! You are right that the water on the rim of the cup help seal the card to it at first. However, when I turned the cup upside down, something else was happening that held the card in place. Do you remember what it was? It has to do with a property of air. The experiment with the straw demonstrated the same property of air. Write back soon and let me know what it was!
In the meantime, I'll look for some more experiments!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI liked the science experiment where you put a cup of water out on our tables. After that, you put some oil in the cups and then squeezed two drops of dye in the water. Then, you sprinkled a little bit of salt on the drops of dye and then the drops of dye turned the water different colors.
That was my favorite. Do you have a favorite Mrs. Ranney? Also, thank you for coming to class to show us the experiments.
Sincerely,
Ty
@Ty,
DeleteThanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the experiments! I'd love to hear more about what you learned about density. Do you remember why the salt caused the food coloring to move into the water layer and spread out?
I'd have to say my favorite was the experiment with the salt and ice. I really recommend trying that one at home!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
DeleteThank you for your reply. I looked up density and this experiment to get more information. I was curious. I think that what is happening is that, in the beginning of the experiment, the oil settles above the water because it is less dense than water. The food coloring gets stuck in the oil for a short time. Then, when you add salt, the salt sinks to the bottom of the cup since it is heavier (more dense) than the other two liquids. The salt carries some of the food coloring and oil along with it. The salt dissolves in the water and the oil floats back up which, I think, might be the reason that the food coloring then looks like it is spreading.
Thank you for the comment and I would love to know if I am right or, at least, close.
I hope to try the salt and ice experiment at home to show my parents and brother and sister.
Sincerely,
Ty
Dear Mrs. Ranney
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed when you came to do the matter experiments with us. It was fun because we got to do some of the experiments too. My favorite demonstration was putting the cup in water to show how air takes up space. I was amazed to see that the paper towel was still dry.
What is your favorite science experiments?
Sincerely,
Derrick
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was when you did the experiment with the salt, water, yarn, ice cube and cup. I really want to do that at home. I have a question: Does the salt have to be the kind of salt that you brought in? Does it have to be Kosher salt?
From,
Troy
P.S. We went to the mountains for Presidents Day weekend and I finally saw a Steller's jay. Then last week I went to hear a speech about birds by a 12-year-old birder who is in a competition for young birders. We will find out if he won in March. It is a national competition. I learned a lot from him. How are your backyard birds? Do you have any tips for attracting orioles? We put up an oriole feeder hoping they come in March.
@Troy,
DeleteI'm so glad that you enjoyed the ice experiment! As I told you all yesterday, I remember doing that very same experiment when I was about your age!
The instructions that I got online said to use Kosher salt. However, when I was a little girl, I know I did it with plain table salt. You might try it out with different salts to see what happens! Do you know why salt caused the thread to stick to the ice? Salt made the ice begin to melt, then refreeze around the thread! Maybe you can find out how salt can to that!
I'm so happy to hear about your recent bird sighting! What did you notice about Stellar's jays? How do they compare to the Western scrub jays we have around here?
I'm very interested in the speech you went to hear! Where did that take place? Is there a site online that I can visit to find out more about this young birder?
Thanks so much for asking about our backyard birds! They are doing great! Scrubbers and Chicken Little still visit often. We have many finches, both house and gold, phoebes, and lately quite a few white-crowned sparrows. They often visit in winter. I'll have to send in some photos!
I have definitely had orioles visit my yard. They are quite shy, and only stick around for moments at a time. When they do come, I am so excited to see their spectacular, striking colors! I usually put up an oriole feeder in springtime. However, the hummingbirds will visit that feeder, as well as the ones I put out specifically for them! I guess they don't know the difference!
Orioles also like some pieces of orange and a little jelly! One fact I learned about orioles is that they often nest up under the fronds of the tall palm trees that grow in the San Fernando Valley, so I'm always watching for them when I drive by any palms!
I look forward to hearing more about your science explorations and birding adventures!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
@Mrs. Ranney,
DeleteThe difference between a Steller's Jay and a Western Scrub-Jay:
Scrub-Jays are the same size as Steller's Jays; but Scrub-Jays don't have a crest and an all black head like the Steller's Jays do.
The speech was at an Audubon Society meeting. It has a young birder's group.
My mom says we are going to email Mrs. Yollis the link to send you since it has information about where we meet.
We got an oriole feeder for our yard but we don't have any orioles yet even though we put a half an orange on it.
Tr☀y
@Troy,
DeleteThanks for your reply! You are spot-on with your descriptive comparison of Stellar's and Scrub jays! Well done!
Mrs. Yollis did send me the link, and I have checked out the site! What a wonderful experience you had! I hope you can visit the young birders group again.
I look forward to hearing about the progress with your oriole feeder. I'd better go fill mine up too!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Yollis and class,
ReplyDeleteI think the science experiments were quite fun. Although Sydney and my water got colored before it was supposed to because the table shook.
Sincerely, Winston
@Winston,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed science yesterday! Sometimes with science, unexpected things happen!
What did you learn about density during our experiments? I look forward to hearing back from you.
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for teaching us some wonderful science experiments. I appreciate that you put your time into teaching us something incredibly cool.
My favorite experiment was the experiment that we did today. I forget what it is called. Do you know what it is called? We saw that the oil was less dense than the water. Since the oil was lighter, when we poured it in the plastic cup, the oil bubbled up to the top of the cup. Then we added a drop of food coloring in the cup. We tried not to touch the edge because the food coloring would spread and sink to the bottom of the cup (which would ruin the experiment). We also tried not to make the two drops close to each other. We finally sprinkled salt on the food coloring and the food coloring spread. The two different colors looked very pretty mixed together.
I think science is full of creativity! Once again, Hooray Mrs. Ranney, the Queen of science!
Your science friend,
Asha
@Asha,
DeleteThanks for your detailed and informative comment! You explained the experiment quite well, and I'm so glad you used the science word dense! The experiment could be called the Liquid Density Experiment.
Do you remember why the salt cause the food coloring to move into the water layer and spread out?
I agree that science can be very creative, as well as beautiful!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI loved your science projects. They were amazing. It's a great way to teach us science. I learned that air is strong. For example, one of the experiments you sealed the top of a bottle with a balloon. Then you tried to blow up the balloon, but nothing happened. Everyone thought the balloon would fill up. I thought that your science experiments helped me learn science in the best way!
What is your favorite science experiment?
Sincerely,
Ruby
@Ruby,
DeleteYou are so right! Air is very strong! I also was amazed when the balloon would not blow up inside the bottle. I actually have another experiment with that same bottle and balloon, and I'll bring it next time!
My favorite with air pressure was the experiment with the cup of water which I covered with the index card. The fact that I could turn the cup upside down and air pressure kept the card in place, so no water spilled, astounded me!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI loved all the hard work you put into looking up some creative science experiments just right for our grade level! My favorite experiment I adored was when Mrs. Yollis pared us up into two partners. You would give us a cup of water and food coloring. Mrs. Yollis put in some oil in each cup. When we each put in a tiny drip of food coloring in the cups, some classmates might have accidentally either touched the cup or shook the table and caused it to make the dye to come down. After that, you gave us some salt and we sprinkled it in the cup. Then our colorful project turned into a masterpiece! I look forward to our next creative, fun project!
Warmly,
Kayla
@Kayla,
DeleteThanks so much for your complimentary comment! Your description of the experiment is very detailed.
What did you learn about density? I'm looking forward to hearing more!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs.Ranney,
ReplyDeleteYet again you had us learn something fun. I really enjoyed the one were you put a string on top of an ice cube that was in water. Since the string couldn't get around the ice cube, you put salt on top and the string stuck to the ice. I really enjoyed it.
When I got home I tried an experiment my self. I took three cups and I put canola oil and water in one, canola oil, salt, and water in the other, and then I put water and salt in the last. I tried to see if they would freeze ,so I put it in the freezer. I timed it on the stopwatch app and the time was 2:16:23:64. They all turned out to be like a slushy kind of. It was quite fun.
From,
Aryana, your experimenting buddy
@Aryana,
DeleteI'm so glad to hear about which experiment you enjoyed most! Do you know why salt made the string stick? Salt caused the ice to begin to melt and then refreeze again around the string! See if you can learn about how salt can do that!
I'm so glad to hear that you tried your own experiment at home! Keep up the great work!
All the best from the "Science Queen,"
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs.Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThe experiment I told you about before was really fun. I froze it a little more. I took pictures of the process.
I would think you like this experiment because it is simple, and not messy. If you have the ingredients, you can look at the 365 post I plan on doing. I will include the instructions as well. If you try the experiment you will enjoy it.
From,
Aryana your experimenting buddy
@Aryana,
DeleteGood for you for taking the initiative to do your own experimenting! I look forward to seeing your photos and reading the instructions as well!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the experiment is when you had water in the cup and a tissue taped inside the cup that did not get wet. It was very interesting and I was surprised that the tissue did not get wet. I enjoyed the experiment. I think that I am going to try this experiment at home.
Sincerely,
Noa
@Noa,
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the "tissue in the cup" experiment! Do you remember why the tissue stayed dry? What property of air caused that?
Let me know if you tried it at home and what happened!
Keep up the good work.
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the enjoyable experiments.
My first favorite experiment was when you told us to go outside, and when we did, you gave us each a piece of paper. You then told us to hold it on our chests when we walked. When we walked, the paper fell to the ground, and when we ran, the paper stayed with us. The slower you were, the riskier it would be for the paper to fall to the ground. That experiment was for gas.
My second favorite experiment was when Mrs. Yollis paired us in groups of two. You provided us cups with water in them. Then you and Mrs. Yollis poured some vegetable oil in our water filled cups. The oil went to the bottom and then went to the top again. Next, you gave the tables some bottles of food coloring. Each of us would drop a drip of food coloring in the oil. The drop would not go down if the table didn't shake. Unfortunately, some drops went down before they were suppose to. Then, if our drop didn't drop, we got a pinch of salt you gave us. Since the salt is dense, it pulled the dye with it, making the dye splatter into the water.
All hail Mrs. Ranny, the Queen of Science.
Sincerely,
Tabitha
@Tabitha,
DeleteThanks for your wonderful comment! I'm so glad that you have been enjoying science. I loved how such a simple experiment as walking or running with a sheet of paper could demonstrate something important. Do you remember what property of air made the paper stick with you as you ran?
I also enjoyed the oil and water experiment. Do you remember why the oil rose to the top? You are right that the salt pulled the dye down into the water because of its density. After the salt dissolved, it allowed the dye to color the water.
Have you tried any science experiments at home?
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney, Queen of Science ;-)
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite science experiment was the one with dye.
I loved how we had to work with partners.
Also, I thought the density project was very beautiful.
Does the project only work with the same type of salt ?
Sincerely,
Sam
@Sam,
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that you've been enjoying science and that you enjoy working with a partner. In science, we often call it "lab partners."
I agree that the density experiment was beautiful! What did you learn about density?
Your question about salt is a good one! I encourage you to experiment with different types of salt yourself and let me know what happens!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI loved your inspiring science experiments. My favorite experiment was when you put two ballons on a yard stick, and the one on the right popped. I also liked the experiment when you put the cup upside down. I thought that the tissue was going to soak up the water.
Which one was your favorite?
Sincerely,
Aiden
@Aiden,
DeleteThanks for your complimentary comment! I'm glad to hear which experiments you enjoyed most!
How about telling me what you learned from each of those experiments? I'd also love to hear about experiments you've tried at home.
I would have to say that my favorite air experiment was seeing how air pressure could hold water inside a cup, even when it was turned upside down!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI liked your fourth science experiment the best! I was surprised when you put that card on the cup that was filled with water, then turned the cup upside down and the water stayed inside the cup.
Your experiment showed me that air, that is a gas, has pressure.
Sincerely,
Ethan
@Ethan,
DeleteI enjoyed that experiment too! Even though I knew ahead of time what was going to happen, I was also surprised!
Good for you for remembering to included what you learned from the experiment!
Have you tried any science experiments at home?
Looking forward to my next visit with your class!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting your time into the experiments. My favorite science experiment was when you dipped the rim of the cup into the water. Then, you put a tracking card on to the edge of the cup. That way the tracking card stuck to the cup because of the water on the edge. I hope we can do it again!
Sincerely,
Ella your science loving buddy
@Ella,
DeleteThanks so much for your appreciation! I'm glad to hear which experiment you enjoyed most! Although the moisture on the edge of the cup did seal it to the card, that is not what held the card in place when I turned it over. Do you remember what held forced the card to stay?
How about trying that experiment at home and letting me know what happened?
I'm looking forward to our next science session together!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy when you come to our class room, it is always so much fun.
My favorite experiment was when you were holding the ice with the string, It was very cool! I would like to try that experiment at my house this week.
How many experiments have you tried?
Sincerely,
Sydney
@Sydney,
DeleteI'm so happy you enjoy my visits! I certainly love coming!
The ice, salt, and string experiment is an old favorite of mine. I hope you have tried it at home. Please let me know how that went!
I'm not really sure how many experiments I've tried, too many to count I think! I enjoyed science a great deal when I was a little girl, and I can remember checking books out of the library about science experiments to try at home. I'm sure the school library has some books like that!
I'm looking forward to more science fun with your class!
Best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs .Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to our class to do the science experiment.
I really loved all the science experiments.
The one I liked the most was the one where you put water in a cup.
Then you put paper on the top of the cup and then you put the cup upside down and the water didn't splash to of the cup!
Sincerely,
Lila-Jane
@Lila-Jane,
DeleteThanks so much for your comment. I'm glad you are enjoying science. The experiment with the water in the cup is really an amazing one, isn't it? Do you remember why the water stayed in the cup and did not spill out?
See you soon,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs.Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for looking up the science experiments. I think we all enjoyed them. I just tried the experiments where you put salt on an ice cube and the one with the water, oil and food coloring. They both worked! It was so fun to try them at home. Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Leah
@Leah,
DeleteI'm so glad that you have been having fun with science and were inspired to try some experiments at home!
I would love to hear more about what you learned by doing the experiments at home!
Looking forward to our next science experience!
Regards,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to our class to do all those science experiments. I loved them. My favorite one was when you put water in a cup outlined the rim with water, then you took a tracking card and stuck it to the top of the cup. Finally you turned the cup over and the water in the cup stayed there. I hope you come again which I'm sure you will.
Sincerely,
Nic
@Nic,
DeleteI'm so glad to hear that you're loving science! Me too!
That experiment is definitely a favorite! Your description of it is very well-written. Do you remember why the water in the cup stayed inside?
Yes, I will be coming again soon! In fact, I plan to come next Wednesday. I'll give you a hint about something we will learn: the difference between a physical change in matter and a chemical change!
Your science-loving friend,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the science projects. It was so fun! My favorite experiment was when we ran with the paper on our stomachs. It was cool that the air stuck the paper to my body when I ran! I hope we get to do some more experiments again!
Sincerely,
Joshua
@Joshua,
DeleteThanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you're enjoying the experiments that we've been doing. I thought it was pretty amazing that paper could stick just because of air pressure!
I look forward to bringing more experiments to share with your class!
All the best,
Mrs. Ranney
Dear Mrs. Ranney,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your amazing science experiments! I loved the experiment that we had a paper on our chest and we ran while the paper is on our chest, and it stayed the whole time that is so cool. I loved all your experiments. I also learned that if you take a stick and you tie a balloon on it and you take your fingers and hold it the balloons side will be falling because the balloon is heavier then nothing. I hope we are going to have more of your excellent science experiments. How did you find all those perfect experiments did you look it up, or did someone tell you them? I had so much fun learning new things. Thank you for helping us!
Sincerely,
Liron