 |
 |
|
Surface Tension
Surface tension is another property of water that
is very important to us. Water molecules are capable of maintaining a
bond between each other. This bond can be quite strong and allows water
molecules to stay close together. This property of water is the highest
of all liquids we know about and is partly responsible for the formation
and structure of water droplets.
- Plastic produce baskets (4" x 4" at supermarkets)
- Clay
- 3" x 5" index cards
- Bowl or container for water
- Triple beam balance
|
- Determine the mass of a plastic produce basket using the balances.
Record the value.
- Make a ball using modeling clay so that its mass is equal to
that of the plastic basket.
- Predict what will happen when each one is placed on the surface
of the water bowl, then record what happened.
- Place each on the surface of the water and record your results.
- Determine the average mass of a 3" x 5" index card.
Record the value.
- Position the plastic basket so that it is resting on the surface
of the water
- Carefully place 1 index card across the top of the basket.
- Repeat this step by laying 1 card at a time on the basket. Observe
what is happening to the water surface in between the holes on
the bottom of the basket.
- Stop when the basket sinks below the water surface.
- Remove 1 card from the pile and count the total number of cards
remaining. Calculate the total mass of the cards and basket that
was supported by the water and record the information.
- Repeat the investigation using both cold and warm water. Make
a prediction about what might happen.
|
|
|
