Exploring Surface Tension

Water Science for Kids - Surface Tension

Last year we did a week long unit study on water, including 8 hands on water experiments for kids.  We've been enjoying more water experiments lately thanks to JZ's first grade science curriculum.  Science is our favorite subject, probably because we enjoy hands on experiments, and because all four boys can enjoy these water science experiments together.  The theme for today was exploring surface tension.  We learned about waters "skin".

How to Explore Surface Tension

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Supplies:

• jar
• water
• coins

(The other objects pictured were used in other activities we did to explore surface tension.  Stay tuned.)

To begin, JZ (6) filled up a jar with water.  We have these pour it yourself containers and love them.  I instructed him to fill the jar as full as possible without spilling.

Next we estimated how many coins we could add to the jar without spilling the water.  Then I instructed the boys to slowly and carefully add coins to the jar, one by one.  This was tricky, because all four of the boys, of course, wanted to participate.  Tank and Peanut (35 months) don't quite know how to be slow and careful yet.  We did have a couple spills, but we always continued on where we left off as soon as the water calmed down a bit.  This is just how it goes when homeschooling with toddlers around.

JZ and J-Bug (4) were blown away at how high the water could sit above the jar without spilling over.  They thought it was the coolest thing ever.

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More water science for kids:

Walking Water Experiment ~ Making Rain in a Jar ~ Natural Watercolor Paint from Flowers