Fluids Resources
This post is the third in my series of resources that align with the Grade 8 Science curriculum. (Previously in the summer, I posted a similar series for the Grade 7 Science curriculum.) Each post shares the resources I compiled for a particular unit that I will be covering throughout the year. If you missed my first two posts in the Grade 8 Science series, you can find them at:
– Cells & Systems Resources
– Optics Resources
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| Easy Hydraulic Machines Screenshot. (2012). Uploaded to Instructables by Lance from Workshop for Young Engineers. Available online at: http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Hydraulic-Machines/ |
My unit on Fluids spans the course of 7 weeks and will take place in late winter (approximately January-February). I specifically planned for this unit to take place during the winter months to allow for us to be outside in the spring during our following unit of Water Systems, which discusses flooding. I’ve built in quite a few lab activities and am most excited about students creating their own hydraulic machines!
Properties of Fluids
Enduring Understanding: Fluids exist in both liquid and gas states and are governed by very specific properties, including viscosity, density, buoyancy and pressure.
8-3-01 Use appropriate vocabulary related to their investigations of fluids.
Include: fluid, viscosity, flow, density, particle theory of matter, buoyant
force, pressure, compressibility, hydraulic, pneumatic.
8-3-02 Distinguish between fluids and non-fluids.
8-3-03 Explore and compare the viscosity of various liquids.
8-3-04 Identify products in which viscosity is an important property, and evaluate
different brands of the same product, using the design process.
8-3-05 Plan and conduct experiment to determining factors that affect flow within
a given system.
8-3-06 Measure, calculate, and compare densities of solids, liquids, and gases.
Include: different amounts of the same substance, regularly and irregularly
shaped objects.
8-3-07 Illustrate, using the particle theory of matter, the effects of temperature
change on the density of solids, liquids, and gases.
8-3-08 Compare fluids of different densities to determine how they alter the
buoyant force of an object.
8-3-09 Recognize that pressure is the relationship between force and area, and
describe situations in which pressure can be increased or decreased by
altering surface area.
8-3-10 Explain, using the particle theory of matter, the relationships among
pressure, volume, and temperature of liquid and gaseous fluids.
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Enduring Understanding: Fluids transmit force in a predictable manner that can be utilized by humans, including hydraulic (liquid) systems and pneumatic (gas) systems.
8-3-11 Compare the relative compressibility of water and air, and relate this
property to their ability to transmit force in hydraulic and pneumatic
systems.
8-3-12 Identify a variety of natural and constructed hydraulic and pneumatic
systems and describe how they function.
8-3-13 Compare hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and identify advantages and
disadvantages of each.
8-3-14 Use the design process to construct a prototype that uses a pneumatic or
hydraulic system to perform a given task.
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In addition to hard-copy resources I have available in the school and from colleagues, I also started to organize some online resources to supplement our classroom activities. Here are the resources I found, organized by the themes I stated above. For each one I’ve included the title, a very brief point about what it includes, and the link.
Properties of Fluids
The Density Song
– Musical review option
– Broadway style song
Can I Pour Air Demonstration – Discrepant Event
– U of M Lesson
– Shows that fluids are liquids and gases
Fundamentals of Fluids
– Articles, quizzes, interactives, videos
Buoyancy Demonstration
– U of M Lesson
– Would need to be a large-group activity lesson
Buoyancy Virtual Lab
– Great lab that can be used on iPads or as a large-group activity
– Includes procedural questions
Viscosity of Liquids Video
– Might be good for center activity, have students list items from
least to most viscous
Viscosity Explorer
– Virtual lab
– Chose from water, olive oil, ethanol, corn syrup, honey &
factors in temperature http://www.planetseed.com/flash/science/lab/liquids/visco_exp/en/viscosity.htm?width=620&height=500&popup=true%20
Wonderville Pipeline Inquiry Project
– 5 Point experiment, good for group activity
– Would be great for when there is a sub
Pressure on Gas Virtual Lab
– Great lab that can be used on iPads or as a large-group activity
– Includes procedural questions
– Density Tower
Hydraulics & Pneumatics
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Part 1
– Good video explaining both systems
– 6 minutes
Forces & Fluids
– Textbook chapter section
– Good teacher resource
Mega Machines
– Game with hydraulic machines
– Enrichment activity if students are done early
Pneumatic Air Nailer Lab
– Article about nail guns to help with the lab
– Lab will take place in the wood shop
Teacher Hydraulic Notes
– PDF Notes for teachers
Build Your Own Hydraulic Machine
– Instructions, videos, and images
Teaching Hydraulics & Pneumatics
– Teacher resource with links to buy lab kits
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I hope you find these resources as awesome as I do!
If there is something you think I should add to my list let me know, I’d love to hear about the awesome things you are using with your class 🙂
Thank- you so much for posting all these links! I was at a loss when I came to this section of my unit and was having no luck with generic website searches for student friendly sites – and then I found yours! Thanks again for sharing.
Great Stuff! Your resources have been a huge help in planning my next unit!