What If Ice Sank Instead of Floated?

Cosmo starts his journey by explaining the three states water can exist in, and from there begins his deep dive into exploring why two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule bonding together can be responsible for creating a freezing cold solid that doesn’t sink, but floats. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of density and volume, and why surface ice acts as an insulator that allows the water below it to remain frigid without becoming an icy solid.

Topic: Properties of liquids and solids

Cosmoriculum:

Identify objects in the natural and built environment as solids or liquids
Describe the properties of solids and liquids
Describe the characteristics of liquid water, and identify the conditions that cause changes from one to the other

Topic: Air and Water in the Environment

Cosmoriculum:

Identify water as a clear, colourless, odourless, tasteless liquid that exists in three states and that is necessary for the life of most animals and plants
Describe ways in which living things, including humans, depend on air and water
Identify sources of water in the natural and built environment
Identify the three states of water in the environment, give examples of each, and show how they fit into the water cycle when the temperature of the surrounding environment changes