Fluids Notes
The particle theory of matter
1. Everything is made of particles (atoms)
2. These particles are always moving – when they gain energy, they move faster.
3. All particles in a pure substance are the same
4. There is space between the particles
5. The particles in a substance are attracted to one another – the strength of the attraction
depends on the type of particles.
Solid, liquid and gas are the 3 states of matter
Volume - The amount of 3-dimensional space an object occupies
Mass – how much matter something contains
Weight – the amount gravity pulls on matter
Weight can change depending on where you are (i.e. the moon) but your amount of matter
stays the same
Measuring Volume - Regular – for regular shapes there is a formula i.e. length x width x height
Irregular – for irregular shapes, any object displaces a volume of water equal to it’s own volume
Density p=m/v
Calculating the density of water we found it to be 1.00g/cm³
Since the density of water is 1.00g/cm³, any volume of water will be equal to the mass.
So 100ml = 100g 20ml = 20g 75ml = 75g 871ml = 871g etc.
Sinking and floating - Objects sink if their density is greater than the density of water
Objects float if their density is less than the density of water
A force is a push or a pull – a force changes the motion of an object
Forces are measured in Newtons (N)
If opposing forces are balanced, an object that is not moving stays still – if they’re unbalanced,
there is movement.
Buoyancy - the force that pushes back up in fluids
Archimedes principle
The buoyant force is equal to the weight of the displaced water.
Another reason things float is because an object’s buoyancy is greater than the force of gravity
Ballast – any material carried that can alter your weight.
We have built structures and machines that can alter their buoyancy by using ballast – and
some living things do this naturally – e.g.
Fish bladders Seaweed Submarines Ballast bags on air balloons Scuba divers
Cartesian Divers
Outcomes covered in this unit
I can explain the particle theory of matter
I can use the particle theory of matter to describe the mass, volume and density of solids,
liquids and gases.
I can measure the density of various substances using water overflow (displacement)
I can use the particle theory of matter to explain how changing the temperature will affect the
density of solids, liquids and gases.
I can describe real life situations where density naturally changes or we try to change it.
I can come up with questions to investigate involving floating, sinking and density.
I can work with team members to investigate floating, sinking and density.
I can describe the movement of objects based on balanced and unbalanced forces
I can describe the difference between mass and weight.
I can describe inventions that have been created because of what we know about density and
buoyancy
