Einstein's Big Idea

Student Handout

Station 4-7 Instructions

Station 4

1. Designate a timer for the team. Use the cup at the front of the table. Insert the thermometer into the glycerin so that the thermometer tip is just above the bottom of the cup. Tape the thermometer to the side of the cup. After 1 minute record the temperature. (If needed, use the magnifying glass to read the scale; estimate to the nearest tenth of a degree.)

2. Holding the cup by the rim, vigorously stir the glycerin with the spoon the way you would beat an egg with a fork, striking the bottom of the cup. Do this for a total of 3 minutes.

3. Record the temperature of the glycerin as soon as you have finished stirring.

4. Remove your thermometer from the glycerin solution and place your cup, thermometer, and spoon at the back of the table. Move the other cup, thermometer, and spoon to the front for the next team.

Station 5

1. Connect the circuit that is set up at the station. Feel the light bulb for the first 15 seconds the circuit is closed.

2. Disconnect the circuit.

3. Record your observations.

Station 6

1. If the pendulums are on a ruler or meter stick, have one team member brace the stick so that the pendulums are hanging over the side of the table. The pendulums should be touching one another.

2. Pull one of the pendulums back until it makes a 45-degree angle with the other pendulum. Release it. What happens to the other pendulum? Record your observations.

3. Now pull back one pendulum so that it is 90 degrees from the other (parallel to the table). Release it. Record your observations.

Station 7

1. Record your observations from the teacher demonstration of burning one splint.

2. Separately weigh the beaker with the wooden splint and the beaker with the remains of the splint that your teacher burned.

3. Record the weight of each beaker.