Question 1
22nd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO)
Group and Individual Experiment Test · Kedah, Malaysia · 07 October 2025
Instructions:
1\. Do not turnover this page until you are told to do so.
2\. Write your ID Number and Seat Number on each space provided in the answer sheet.
3\. Write your answer only on the separate answer sheet. There are 6 pages in the answer sheet.
4\. Follow all the instructions carefully.
5\. There are two experiments in this test. Make sure to answer BOTH papers to get full points.
6\. For the group experiment: ONLY the procedure of the experiment is done by group. The paper must be answered individually.
7\. Complete all the sections in English. There are Section I, II and III for the Group Experiment and Section I, II, and III for the individual experiment.
8\. The marks awarded for each section or question is shown in brackets, [ ].
9\. There are 6 printed pages in this booklet, excluding this cover page.
10\. You have 120 minutes to complete this test.
Editorial scoring note: The source does not print a total score. Only three group data tables show [1 mark] each. This study package assigns 20 editorial points to each experiment (40 editorial points overall); these are not official totals. Printed marks are retained below. Both experiments share the printed 120 minutes; the individual activity additionally has a printed 45-minute limit. No candidate information or measured results is supplied.
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIMENT · Why do Ships Float?
Objectives
1\. To demonstrate that average density (mass ÷ volume) determines flotation, not just the material’s density.
2\. To compare the flotation behavior of two equal-mass clay models
3\. To apply Archimedes’ Principle to explain why large ships float even though they are made of heavy materials like steel.
Materials
A. modelling clay
B. 250mL beaker
C. 500mL water
Procedure
NOTE: You are given forty-five (45) minutes to accomplish this experiment, after this you will be directed to work on your group experiment.
1\. Make two (2) equal mass models from clay.
a. Model A should be a compact clay ball or block.
b. Model B should shape the same mass of clay into a boat-like hull. Ensure there are no holes.
2\. Fill the beaker with water until the 150 mL line. Submerge each model fully (without touching sides). Record displaced volume by subtracting initial level from final level.
3\. Place Model A and B gently into a beaker of water.
4\. Observe which model floats or sinks.
5\. Do 3 trials each for Model A and B.
6\. Compute for the Average Density.
Average Density = Mass ÷ Displaced Volume.
Section I. Data Table
Table 1. ________________________________________
| Trial for Model A | Mass (g) | Displaced volume (cm³) | Average density (g/cm³) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 20.0 | | |
| 2 | 20.0 | | |
| 3 | 20.0 | | |
Table 2. ________________________________________
| Trial for Model B | Mass (g) | Displaced volume (cm³) | Average density (g/cm³) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 20.0 | | |
| 2 | 20.0 | | |
| 3 | 20.0 | | |
Table 3. ________________________________________
| Model | Observation after submerging the model |
| --- | --- |
| A | |
| B | |
Section II. Graph
Plot a graph comparing the average densities of Model A and Model B. Then, Draw a horizontal line at 1 g/cm³ (density of water) to show which objects float (below line) and sink (above line).
Section III. Guide Questions
1\. A steel block sinks in water, but a steel ship with the same mass of steel floats. Explain why.
2\. Define average density and explain its relation to flotation.
3\. In this experiment, why did the hollow model float while the solid model sank? Use Archimedes’ Principle.
4\. Identify two possible sources of error and suggest one improvement.
5\. A loaded ship sinks deeper into water compared to when it is empty. Why does this happen, and when will it eventually sink?
6\. Using your graph, predict whether a new clay model with average density 0.9 g/cm³ will float or sink. Explain.
THIS IS NOT YET THE END OF YOUR EXPERIMENT TEST. TURN TO PAGE 4 FOR THE GROUP EXPERIMENT.
Group and Individual Experiment Test · Kedah, Malaysia · 07 October 2025
Instructions:
1\. Do not turnover this page until you are told to do so.
2\. Write your ID Number and Seat Number on each space provided in the answer sheet.
3\. Write your answer only on the separate answer sheet. There are 6 pages in the answer sheet.
4\. Follow all the instructions carefully.
5\. There are two experiments in this test. Make sure to answer BOTH papers to get full points.
6\. For the group experiment: ONLY the procedure of the experiment is done by group. The paper must be answered individually.
7\. Complete all the sections in English. There are Section I, II and III for the Group Experiment and Section I, II, and III for the individual experiment.
8\. The marks awarded for each section or question is shown in brackets, [ ].
9\. There are 6 printed pages in this booklet, excluding this cover page.
10\. You have 120 minutes to complete this test.
Editorial scoring note: The source does not print a total score. Only three group data tables show [1 mark] each. This study package assigns 20 editorial points to each experiment (40 editorial points overall); these are not official totals. Printed marks are retained below. Both experiments share the printed 120 minutes; the individual activity additionally has a printed 45-minute limit. No candidate information or measured results is supplied.
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIMENT · Why do Ships Float?
Objectives
1\. To demonstrate that average density (mass ÷ volume) determines flotation, not just the material’s density.
2\. To compare the flotation behavior of two equal-mass clay models
3\. To apply Archimedes’ Principle to explain why large ships float even though they are made of heavy materials like steel.
Materials
A. modelling clay
B. 250mL beaker
C. 500mL water
Procedure
NOTE: You are given forty-five (45) minutes to accomplish this experiment, after this you will be directed to work on your group experiment.
1\. Make two (2) equal mass models from clay.
a. Model A should be a compact clay ball or block.
b. Model B should shape the same mass of clay into a boat-like hull. Ensure there are no holes.
2\. Fill the beaker with water until the 150 mL line. Submerge each model fully (without touching sides). Record displaced volume by subtracting initial level from final level.
3\. Place Model A and B gently into a beaker of water.
4\. Observe which model floats or sinks.
5\. Do 3 trials each for Model A and B.
6\. Compute for the Average Density.
Average Density = Mass ÷ Displaced Volume.
Section I. Data Table
Table 1. ________________________________________
| Trial for Model A | Mass (g) | Displaced volume (cm³) | Average density (g/cm³) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 20.0 | | |
| 2 | 20.0 | | |
| 3 | 20.0 | | |
Table 2. ________________________________________
| Trial for Model B | Mass (g) | Displaced volume (cm³) | Average density (g/cm³) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 20.0 | | |
| 2 | 20.0 | | |
| 3 | 20.0 | | |
Table 3. ________________________________________
| Model | Observation after submerging the model |
| --- | --- |
| A | |
| B | |
Section II. Graph
Plot a graph comparing the average densities of Model A and Model B. Then, Draw a horizontal line at 1 g/cm³ (density of water) to show which objects float (below line) and sink (above line).
Section III. Guide Questions
1\. A steel block sinks in water, but a steel ship with the same mass of steel floats. Explain why.
2\. Define average density and explain its relation to flotation.
3\. In this experiment, why did the hollow model float while the solid model sank? Use Archimedes’ Principle.
4\. Identify two possible sources of error and suggest one improvement.
5\. A loaded ship sinks deeper into water compared to when it is empty. Why does this happen, and when will it eventually sink?
6\. Using your graph, predict whether a new clay model with average density 0.9 g/cm³ will float or sink. Explain.
THIS IS NOT YET THE END OF YOUR EXPERIMENT TEST. TURN TO PAGE 4 FOR THE GROUP EXPERIMENT.
