Water Experiments for Primary Ed

Cheatsheet Content

Water - Basic Properties Water Cycle: Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation. States of Water: Solid (ice), Liquid (water), Gas (steam/vapor). Density: How much "stuff" is in a given space. Denser objects sink, less dense objects float. Surface Tension: Water molecules stick together, creating a "skin" on the surface. Adhesion: Water molecules stick to other substances. Cohesion: Water molecules stick to each other. Experiment 1: Floating & Sinking Materials: Bowl of water Various small objects (e.g., coin, leaf, paperclip, small toy, rock, sponge, orange) Procedure: Predict which objects will float and which will sink. Gently place each object into the water. Observe and record the results. Learning Points: Introduces concepts of density and buoyancy. Objects less dense than water float; objects more dense than water sink. Experiment 2: Rainbow in a Jar (Density Layers) Materials: Tall, clear glass or jar Honey, corn syrup, dish soap, water (with food coloring), vegetable oil, rubbing alcohol (with food coloring) Spoon or dropper Procedure: Carefully pour each liquid into the glass, one by one, from most dense to least dense (honey first, then syrup, soap, colored water, oil, colored alcohol). Pour slowly down the side of the glass to prevent mixing. Observe the distinct layers formed. Learning Points: Visual demonstration of different liquid densities. Liquids with higher density sink below liquids with lower density. Experiment 3: Pepper & Soap (Surface Tension) Materials: Shallow dish or plate Water Ground black pepper Liquid dish soap Cotton swab or finger Procedure: Fill the dish with water. Sprinkle pepper evenly across the surface of the water. Dip a cotton swab or finger into dish soap, then gently touch the center of the pepper-covered water. Observe what happens to the pepper. Learning Points: Demonstrates surface tension of water. Soap breaks the surface tension, causing the pepper to spread to the edges. Experiment 4: Walking Water (Capillary Action) Materials: 3-5 clear glasses Water Food coloring (2-3 different colors) Paper towels Procedure: Arrange glasses in a line. Fill alternating glasses with water (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th). Add different food colors to each filled glass. Fold paper towels lengthwise and place one end in a filled glass and the other end in an empty glass. Observe over a few hours or overnight. Learning Points: Illustrates capillary action, adhesion, and cohesion. Water "climbs" the paper towel and moves from one glass to another, mixing colors. Experiment 5: Cloud in a Jar (Water Cycle) Materials: Large glass jar with lid Hot water (not boiling) Ice cubes Hairspray or aerosol spray Procedure: Pour about 2 inches of hot water into the jar. Swirl the water to warm the sides of the jar. Quickly spray a short burst of hairspray into the jar. Place the lid upside down on top of the jar and put ice cubes on the lid. Observe the "cloud" forming inside the jar. Learning Points: Simulates condensation and cloud formation. Warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses around particles (hairspray) to form a cloud. Experiment 6: Ice Melting Race Materials: Several identical ice cubes Various materials (e.g., aluminum foil, cloth, plastic wrap, bare counter, salt) Small plates or bowls Timer Procedure: Place an ice cube on each different material/surface. Add a sprinkle of salt to one ice cube. Observe and time how long each ice cube takes to melt completely. Learning Points: Explores heat transfer and insulation. Different materials conduct or insulate heat differently. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, making ice melt faster.