CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 7: Experiments with Water NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, "Experiments with Water," for CBSE Class 5 EVS, delves into the fascinating properties of water and how different objects interact with it. Students will explore the concepts of sinking and floating through hands-on experiments. The solutions provide clear explanations for why certain objects float while others sink, considering factors like material, shape, and density. This resource helps young learners understand basic physics principles related to buoyancy and water displacement, making it an excellent tool for exam preparation and reinforcing classroom learning.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	EVS
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 7

Chapter summary

Chapter 7, "Experiments with Water," focuses on practical observations and understanding why objects sink or float. The NCERT Solutions cover experiments involving various items like a puffed puri, steel plate, plastic bottle cap, and more. It explains the role of weight, material, and shape in determining buoyancy, guiding students to predict and verify outcomes. This chapter encourages scientific inquiry and critical thinking about the properties of water.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concepts of sinking and floating.
Predict whether an object will sink or float in water.
Explain why some objects float and others sink.
Conduct simple experiments with water and observe results.
Analyze the effect of shape and material on buoyancy.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Sinking and Floating
Buoyancy
Density
Water Displacement
Effect of Shape on Floating
Effect of Material on Floating
Experiments with Water
Observation Skills
Prediction in Science

Important topics

Understanding why objects sink or float
Predicting outcomes of water experiments
The role of density and shape
Conducting and observing experiments

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Questions and Solutions

Think What Would Happen:

Ayesha put a puffed puri in a bowl of water. Would it sink or float?

You put a steel plate on water. Would it sink or float? What would happen to a spoon?

Would the cap of a plastic bottle sink or float on water?

Solution:

When a puffed puri is first placed in a bowl of water, it will likely float. This is because the puffiness traps air, making it less dense than the water. However, after some time, the dough of the puri will absorb water, increasing its density, and it will eventually sink.

A steel plate, when placed on water, will likely float. This is because its shape allows it to spread out and displace a large volume of water, making the effective density of the plate and the water it displaces less than the density of the steel itself. In contrast, a steel spoon, which is more compact and denser than the water it displaces, will sink.

The cap of a plastic bottle is typically made of lightweight plastic and often contains trapped air. Therefore, it is less dense than water and will float on the surface.

Do This and Find Out:

Do this experiment in groups of four friends. Each group will need a big pot filled with water and the things listed in the table. Put each thing one-by-one in water and observe.

Mark $\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ for the things that float. Mark $\lceil \times \rceil$ for those that sink.

I guessed, before I I saw, when I

Things to be put in water did it did it

Empty bowl (katori)
After putting in 6-7 small pebbles, one-by-one Iron nail or pin Matchstick
Empty plastic bottle with its lid closed
Bottle half-filled with water
Bottle full of water Aluminium foil (from medicine packing)
Open and spread out
Pressed tightly into a ball
In a cup-like shape
Soap cake
Soap cake on a small plastic plate A piece of ice

Solution:

This section requires performing experiments and recording observations. Here are the likely outcomes based on common properties of these items:

Table of Observations (Likely Results):

Things to be put in water	I guessed (Float/Sink)	It did (Float/Sink)
1. Empty bowl (katori)	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
2. Small pebbles (one-by-one)	Sink	$\lceil \times \rceil$ (Sink)
3. Iron nail or pin	Sink	$\lceil \times \rceil$ (Sink)
4. Matchstick	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
5. Empty plastic bottle with its lid closed	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
6. Bottle half-filled with water	Float (but lower)	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
7. Bottle full of water	Sink (likely)	$\lceil \times \rceil$ (Sink)
8. Aluminium foil (from medicine packing) - Open and spread out	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
9. Aluminium foil - Pressed tightly into a ball	Sink (likely)	$\lceil \times \rceil$ (Sink)
10. Aluminium foil - In a cup-like shape	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
11. Soap cake	Sink (likely)	$\lceil \times \rceil$ (Sink)
12. Soap cake on a small plastic plate	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)
13. A piece of ice	Float	$\lceil \sqrt{\rceil}$ (Float)

Explanation: Objects float if they are less dense than water. Objects sink if they are denser than water. The shape of an object, like the aluminium foil or the bowl, can help it displace more water, allowing it to float even if the material itself is dense.

Common mistakes

Assuming heavier objects always sink and lighter objects always float without considering density and shape.
Not understanding that the absorption of water can change an object's buoyancy.
Confusing the size of an object with its ability to float or sink.

Revision tips

Re-perform the experiments described in the chapter to solidify understanding.
Focus on the 'why' behind each observation – why does the puri sink later? Why does the steel plate float?
Create a table to list objects and predict if they will sink or float before testing.
Discuss the results with friends or family to reinforce learning.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What happens to a puffed puri when first placed in water?

Q2. According to the solutions, what determines if an object floats or sinks?

Q3. A steel plate is placed on water. What is likely to happen?

Q4. What happens to a plastic bottle with its lid closed when placed in water?

Q5. If you press aluminium foil tightly into a ball, how might its behavior in water change compared to when it's spread out?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 7?

Chapter 7, 'Experiments with Water,' focuses on understanding why different objects sink or float when placed in water, exploring concepts of buoyancy and density through practical experiments.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 5 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's questions, explaining the scientific reasons behind sinking and floating. They help students grasp the concepts and prepare for exams.

Does the shape of an object affect whether it sinks or floats?

Yes, the shape can significantly affect whether an object floats. For example, a piece of aluminium foil spread out might float, but when crumpled into a ball, it might sink because its density increases.

What factors determine if something sinks or floats?

An object's mass and volume collectively determine its density. If an object's density is greater than water's density, it sinks. If it's less, it floats. The shape can also influence how much water it displaces.

Are the questions in this chapter based on experiments?

Yes, the questions in Chapter 7 are designed to be answered through simple experiments with water, encouraging students to observe, predict, and understand scientific phenomena firsthand.

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