Physics - Forces - Upthrust

In this MEL Academy lesson your children will:

  • learn about upthrust
  • see the the Archimedes experiment
  • assemble you own swimming diver

Lesson time

11:00am   PST (San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
12:00pm   MST (Phoenix, Denver, ...)
1:00pm   CST (Chicago, Houston, ...)
2:00pm   EST (New York, Toronto, ...)
7:00pm   GMT (London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct several DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

DIY Materials

  Empty eye dropper (optional)
  3 x 20cm squared piece of aluminium foil
  Access to water
  Big bowl or a basin
  5 different coins
  330ml to 1ltr clear plastic bottle with screw top
  2 x plastic straws (ideally flexible bendy ones)
  Drawing pin
  Paper clips
  Scissors
  Bluetack (optional)
  Small empty clear plastic MEL reagent bottle (optional)

Worksheet

Please, download and print this worksheet in advance. You’ll need to refer to it during the lesson.

Tutor

This lesson is presented by Daniel Sullivan:

Daniel Sullivan

Daniel Sullivan is a hugely enthusiastic and experienced ex-head of science with over 20 years of teaching experience. He is now running a science teacher training company and is looking forward to engaging with students once again.