THIS UNIT COMPLETES: 

30-3-2009

If you are looking for the Metrology Unit click here

GSIS Grade 8 Students, Welcome to Fluid Systems...

see more Rube pictures

8 Science: Semester 2 – Mechanics: Fluid Systems (Feb. 16 - Mar. 27)

Fluid Systems objectives:

• buoyancy (floating)
• pressure in fluids (including gases)
• calculation of forces, masses and volumes related to fluid mechanics
• systems perspective (input/output)
• design and construction (the summative practical learning task)

SCIENCEPOWER: Key ideas

Students will discover:

1. How density and buoyancy determine whether an object sinks, rises, or floats when placed in a fluid;
2. That the particle theory can explain the relationship between mass, volume, and density;
3. How an objects size affects the buoyant force acting on it;
4. How external pressure affects the behaviour of fluids;
5. Why pressure in fluids varies with depth and with altitude;
6. How fluid pressure is affected by temperature;
7. Why gases are compressible but liquids are incompressible;
8. How liquids compare to air as transmitters of force;
9. How pneumatic and hydraulic systems depend on fluid pressure.

SCIENCEPOWER: Key skills

Students will:

1. Make a model of a diving device that can adjust its own depth in water;
2. Use a formula to calculate pressure;
3. Compare the compressibility of solids, liquids, and gases;
4. Predict and test the effect of depth on water pressure;
5. Observe how pressure is transmitted in a simple pneumatic system;
6. Design and build your own simple hydraulic system (summative learning task).

ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

LESSONS - DAILY OVERVIEW 

• A Block (Mr. Couts) click here
• C Block (Mr. Christiansen) click here
• E Block (Mr. Reimer) click here
• G Block (Mr. Christiansen) click here

External links

• Balloons and buoyancy simulation software (JAVA applet)
• PHUN software can be downloaded here (from home) OR Here - from GSIS
• "How Stuff Works" - "the basic idea" (hydraulics) animation and explanation (make sure you watch BOTH animations)
• Honda's brilliant "Accord" Rube machine