University of Waikato
Investigating Bubbles
Bubbles are not always trouble. Pupils investigate surface tension in water and bubble mixtures by blowing bubbles and recording observations. Learners then create bubble wands of different shapes from pipe cleaners and observe the shape...
Curated OER
Surface Tension On Coins
Students drop water onto clean coins to determine the tension of each coin and then to graph their findings.
Curated OER
Water Unit
Students make boats and race them. In this physics lesson, students investigate surface tension, molecules, and cohesion by competing in a class race with their boats. Students experiment with liquid soap to see how much will make their...
Curated OER
Pepper Scatter
Students discover the forces that affect the surface tension of water. In this surface tension lesson plan, students use pepper, soap, and liquid detergent to discover the forces.
Curated OER
How Many Drops of H2o Can Fit on a Penny?
In this properties of water instructional activity, students explore the surface tension and cohesion properties of water compared to other liquids in a 2 part experiment.
Curated OER
Crazy Chemistry Lesson Plan
Students study water molecules, cohesion and surface tension. For this molecule cohesion lesson students create chemical reactions that cause a balloon to inflate and another one that results in soap suds.
Curated OER
Earth & Space Science: Holding it Together
Students estimate how many drops of water can fit onto the surface of a penny and then test their hypothesis to find out. They also experiment with bubbles.
Curated OER
Redwood Trees: How Does Water Get to the Top of the Tree
High schoolers discuss photosynthesis. They explore and discuss surface tension, hydrogen bonding and capillary action with hands on experiments. They make journal entries and draw pictures of the different stages of the experiments.
Curated OER
Water Olympics
A fascinating and engaging lesson on the properties of water awaits you. In it, learners engage in four activities that are designed to teach about the properties of water. This exciting plan has worksheets embedded in it which make the...
Curated OER
The Earth's Magnetic Field
Pupils explain how the earth's magnetic field works and looks. They create
their own free-floating compass using the everyday materials. After constructing their compass, they test it and determine north.
Curated OER
Applied Science-Science and Math Post Lab
Students explore magnification. In this science skills observation lesson, students make a hand lens using a wire loop and a small amount of water.
Curated OER
Emulsion_ Compulsion
Students experiment with common household products to determine the properties of emulsions and how they fit into the classifications of matter through this series of lessons.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Surface Tension Lab
Students extend their understanding of surface tension by exploring the real-world engineering problem of deciding what makes a "good" soap bubble. Student teams first measure this property, and then use this measurement to determine the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Break the Tension
Students learn about and experiment with the concept of surface tension. How can a paper clip "float" on top of water? How can a paper boat be powered by soap in water? How do water striders "walk" on top of water? Why do engineers care...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Surface Tension With Soap Film
An investigation into the effect soap has on the surface tension of water. Students create three-dimensional shapes using toothpicks and clay, dip them into soapy water, and make observations and formulate questions about the soap film.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Surface Tension
A simple experiment investigating surface tension and the cohesive property of water, using just water, pepper, and liquid soap.
Biology Corner
The Biology Corner How Is the Surface Tension of Water Affected by Soap?
Here is a classic lesson regarding surface tension. This worksheet combines properties of water and the scientific method together for a hands on investigation.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Soap Bubbles
A scientific look at soap bubbles. Find out what it is about soap and water that allows bubbles to occur, how bubbles stick to each other, and why they are always a sphere. There are even formulae for making your own bubble solution.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Soap Powered Boat Experiment
Examine surface tension by floating an index card that has been cut into a boat shape on water, then dropping liquid soap near the "engine" section of the index card.
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Build a Soap Powered Model Boat
Science Bob presents instructions for a science demonstration of how to build a soap-powered model boat using common supplies with information on how it works.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Down With the Clip!
Students see how surface tension can enable light objects (paper clips, peppercorns) to float on an island of oil in water, and subsequently sink when the surface tension of the oil/water interface is reduced by the addition of a...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Bubble Tray: Create Giant Bubbles
With this fun bubble tray experiment, students create giant bubbles and learn about surface tension and light interference.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Get Your Charge Away From Me!
This activity is an easy way to demonstrate the fundamental properties of polar and non-polar molecules (such as water and oil), how they interact, and the affect surfactants (such as soap) have on their interactions. Students see the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Let's Get Dirty
In a very hands-on activity, students observe and feel the differences between two cleaning methods, with and without hand soap, using coffee grounds to represent "dirt."Most of the dirt and bacteria on our hands is encased in a thin...