Apple Experiment for Kids (Science Activity From Not So Fast Max)

Written by Annette Schottenfeld

In Not So Fast, Max: A Rosh Hashanah Visit with Grandma by Annette Schottenfeld with illustrations by Jennifer Kirkham, Max learns some interesting things about his grandma when they visit the apple orchard. A scientist is also interested in learning new things. A good scientist uses something called the scientific method to create an experiment to answer their questions.

The scientific method is a way of looking at a problem and asking what you think will happen, what does happen, and then comparing the two.

Our questions are:

Will apples sink or float?

Will apple seeds sink or float?

Let’s get started!

Apple Experiment for Kids

1. Gather your supplies.

You will need the following for this experiment:

2 graphic worksheets (download and print Apples and Seeds)
2-3 apples
bin filled with water
knife
cutting board
an adult assistant

2. Make your first prediction!

Do you think the apples will float (stay on top of the water) or sink (move under the water)?

3. Place the apples in the bin filled with water.

Pay careful attention. Do you see the apples sinking under the water or floating on top of the water?

4. Check your prediction! Was it correct?

5. Have an adult use the knife to remove the seeds from the apple.

6. Make your next prediction!

Will the apple seeds float (stay on top of the water) or sink (move under the water)?

7. Place the apple seeds in the bin filled with water.

Pay careful attention. Do you see the apple seeds sinking under the water or floating on top of the water?

8. Check your prediction! Was it correct?

Explanation

All objects are made up of teeny tiny particles.
Objects with particles spaced farther apart (like apples) are less dense than water, so the objects float.
Objects with tightly packed particles (like apple seeds) are denser than water, so the objects sink.
Density is a measure of how close together the particles of an object are.

Get your copy of Not So Fast, Max: A Rosh Hashanah Visit with Grandma by Annette Schottenfeld with illustrations by Jennifer Kirkham published by Kalaniot Books in stores or online. See more information at KalaniotBooks.com.