June Activity
Month: June
Theme: Ocean and Water
Activity: Properties of Water
Properties of Water
Activity 1: Water as a solvent
Supplies:
- 1 cup water
- Clear drinking cup
- Cooking oil
- Food coloring
- Detergent
- Sugar
- Salt
Directions:
Step 1: Fill clear glass ¾ full with water
Step 2: Add 1 tsp. cooking oil
Step 3: Observe and ask questions.
Step 4: Try adding other materials to the oil and water (food coloring, detergent, sugar, salt, etc.)
Question:
What will happen if you add cooking oil? Will oil float on top of the water? Will oil sink to bottom of the water? Will oil mix with the water?
Answer: Oil is a hydrophobic or water hating molecule. Its chemical structure does not allow the formation of hydrogen bonds so the oil does not dissolve, or mix with the water. Oil and water form separate layers when mixed. Oil is less dense than water so it sits on top.
Activity 2: Water and surface tension
Supplies:
- Water
- Eyedropper
- Wax paper
- Toothpick
- Detergent
Directions:
Step 1: Lay out wax paper.
Step 2: Using eyedropper, place a few drops of water in the center of the wax paper. Make sure they are close to each other but not touching.
Step 3: Observe how the water drops look.
Step 4: Use a toothpick to “pull” one drop of water into another.
Step 5: Observe.
Step 6: Dip the toothpick in detergent and touch the largest drop of water on the wax paper.
Step 7: Observe
