The 6th graders recently performed the traditional Bubble gum experiment. The question they were challenged to answer was “ Will the mass of Bubbalicious bubble gum increase or decrease over time chewed?” It is always evenly divided over those who predict increase due to spit or decrease due to flavor loss. The students collaborate in groups as to how they will find out the answer to the question, what data they will need to collect and record and who can chew gum (unfortunately those with braces are automatically out). Because we have also studied how to find the volume of irregular objects the students use graduated cylinders and place the chewed gum in them and noting water displacement to find the volume. Density is then calculated. Overall this is a disgusting FUN experiment where big concepts are learned and remembered for life! For those inquiring minds the answer is the mass of the gum decreases by 70% as the SUGAR dissolves. This is enough to make anyone’s teeth ache!
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