Lake Water: Liquid & Solid

These three photographs are of Lake Okoboji. One is taken in the summer months and the other two are taken in the winter months. Notice how in the summer, the lake is liquid, while in the winter, the surface of the lake is solid.

How does the lake change from a liquid to a solid?

• What weather factors cause a lake to change from a liquid to a solid?    
• What do you think the lake water is like under the icy surface? Do you think it is more ice or liquid water?    
• How do you think the state of the water (liquid or solid) impacts the animals that live in that environment (fish, etc.)?

Students could:

• Create a Venn Diagram to determine what is the same in both solid and liquid lake water? What is different?
• Draw a picture comparing solid and liquid lake water, include the humans and animals in both.
• Write a story from the fish perspective, how your environment changes in each season.

• Know the Science | What happens to fish when a lake freezes>/a>: Watch this video to learn about what happens to fish when bodies of water freeze.
• Wonderopolis | Does Salt Water Freeze?: This article explores the interaction of salt, water and freezing temperatures.