LABScI
Surface Tension: Liquids Stick Together
Use science to help you walk on water! Young scientists explore the properties of liquids including cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. They use graphs to compare different liquids and make predictions about their molecular attraction.
American Chemical Society
Look-Alike Liquids
Here is the first of four experiments to differentiate among unknown liquids by their behaviors and properties. Pupils observe how different liquids respond to being placed on plastic and paper, and they take notes about their...
American Chemical Society
Surface Tension
A drop of dew holds a sphere shape even when sitting on a seat thanks to the surface tension of water. Learners observe the phenomena of surface tension in water. Through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions they explore...
Beyond Benign
Breaking the Tension
The tension builds as learners experiment in your classroom. The 17th installment in a 24-part series has scholars investigate the concept of surface tension. After discovering characteristics of surface tension, they add a compound...
Teach Engineering
Surface Tension Basics
Back to the basics (of surface tension). The first installment of a nine-part series teaches young scholars about the basics of surface tension and how it relates to water droplets. They also learn how this concept allows for the...
Curated OER
Surface Tension Grabbers
Students use the following quick activities to comprehend what surface tension is: 1. Fill a gas bottle with water. Place an uncentered burner screen over the bottle. Hold the screen in place with your finger and invert the bottle on...
Curated OER
Discovering Cohesion, Adhesion and Surface Tension
Students investigate cohesion, adhesion and surface tension through observations and lab experiments. In this cohesion, adhesion and surface tension lesson plan, students rotate to 5 stations around the room and experiment at each...
Teach Engineering
Penny Perfect Properties (Solid-Liquid Interations)
I can get more water to stay on a penny than you can! Collaborative pairs determine the volume of liquids that can be contained on the surface of copper pennies and plastic coins. The pairs analyze their results using graphs and go on to...
American Chemical Society
Developing Tests to Distinguish Between Similar-Looking Liquids
Each group talks about how to test unknown liquids based on their findings in the previous experiment. In this second of four activities, they test unknowns on wax paper, newspaper, and construction paper. As a stand-alone, this activity...
Curated OER
Surface Tension and 3D Soap Films
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of surface tension, its dependence on material composition, and how it can produce uniquely shaped surfaces.
Curated OER
Surface Tension and Bubbles
Students investigate surface tension and bubbles. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students explore how the surface tension of water is able to support tiny objects that actually weigh more than the water as they collect date by...
Curated OER
Surface Tension (Soap Boat)
Young scholars investigate the affect of soap and water temperature on surface tension.
Curated OER
Surface Tension
Students view demonstrations that illustrate the surface tension of water. In this properties of water lesson plan, students observe demonstrations that show how water exhibits surface tension. They explain how the demonstration shows...
Curated OER
Surface Tension
Students study surface tension and determine if soap and heat will affect surface tension. For this tension lesson students complete a lab, make a hypothesis and answer questions.
Curated OER
Water Wonders
Students measure the amount of surface tension using a balance scale after a classroom demonstration students diagram the appearance of several liquids and label them.
Teach Engineering
Capillarity – Measuring Surface Tension
How do cohesion and adhesion work together? The third installment of a nine-part series teaches young scientists the difference between adhesion and cohesion. They also learn how cohesion and adhesion work together to cause capillary...
Virginia Department of Education
Physical and Chemical Properties of Water
How can you effectively provide detailed concepts of water properties to your high school class in a way they find exciting and challenging at the same time? By letting them play, of course! Through a variety of experiments, pupils...
Curated OER
Water Wonders
Students experiment with the cohesion of water molecules. In this surface tension instructional activity, students estimate how many drops of water a full glass can take before overflowing. They watch a video that explains water molecules.
Curated OER
Wet Pennies
Students conduct a simple test to determine how many drops of water, rubbing alcohol and vegetable oil can be placed on a penny before spilling over. They consider how varying surface tensions allow for different amounts of each liquid...
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Bigger Bubbles
Fourth graders explore properties of bubbles. In this lesson about bubbles, 4th graders perform an experiment. Students analyze the properties of bubble making substances and surface tension. Students create a square bubble. Students...
Curated OER
Molecular Forces at Work: Creating Soap Bubbles
Students investigate adhesion, cohesion and surface tension. For this molecular forces lesson plan, students observe multiple demonstrations that show surface tension, the attraction of water molecules to each other and the ability of...
Curated OER
Water
Students conduct a series of investigations on the unique properties of water. In this general science lesson, students explain what causes water's surface tension. They explain the different stages in the water cycle.
Curated OER
Surface Tension-Driven Flows
Students learn how surface tension changes can cause fluids to flow.
Curated OER
Surface Tension
Students examine the concept of surface tension. For this surface tension lesson students complete several experiments to allow them to better understand surface tension.