Rice Grain Lab

Lab Report: Mass, Volume, and Indirect Measurement

Benchmarks:

MAFS.912.N-Q.1.3 Chose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurements when reporting quantities

SC.912.CS-CS.1.1 Create a container out of single 5 x 8 inch. Index card that can hold the greatest amount of grains of rice.

Problem Statement:

Create a container out of single 5 x 8 index card that can hold the greatest amount of grains of rice.

Hypothesis:

If the design or shape of the container is manipulated then the volume of the rectangular shape would have the greatest volume because it will hold the greatest amount of rice grains.

Materials:

Rice (to measure amount of rice grains)

Cellophane tape (to construct the design)

Electronic scale ( a balance to measure the mass of the design)

Scissors (to cut the design from the index card)

Index Card (5 x 8 inch)

Ruler (to measure the length, width, and height)

Pencil (to write down observations, and data)

Lab notebook (to note observation and data)

Half sheet of paper (to brainstorm ideas)

Procedures:

Complete Investigation 2A.

Analyze, plan, and experiment various of ways of producing a container from a half sheet of paper that has the greatest volume. You are able to use scissors and tape to assemble your container.

Decide on the best design your group created.

Assemble the container that your group believes will hold the greatest volume of rice grains from a 5 x 8 inch index card.

Measure the mass of the container.

Add as many rice grains needed to fill your container completely.

Measure the new mass of the container.

Determine the mass of rice grains by subtracting the mass of the container alone and the mass of the container with rice grains.

Determine the number of rice grains by dividing the mass of rice grains present by the previously determined number of one grain of rice.

Determine the volume of rice grains the container held by dividing the number of rice grains by the previously determined number of grains