TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Surface Tension
Surface tension accounts for many of the interesting properties we associate with water. By learning about surface tension and adhesive forces, students learn why liquid jets of water break into droplets rather than staying in a...
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...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring Surface Tension of Water With a Penny
Have you ever wondered what makes water 'bead' up on a freshly waxed car? In this project you'll investigate the chemistry of surface tension by measuring how many drops of water a penny can hold.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Floating Metal Pins Discrepant Event/guided Inquiry on Surface Tension
Through a combination of an interactive demonstration and guided inquiry, students learn the basic nature of surface tension in liquids.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Surface Tension
Explore the chemical properties involved in surface tension.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Surface Tension Basics
Young scholars are presented with the question: "Why does a liquid jet break up into droplets?" and introduced to its importance in inkjet printers. A discussion of cohesive forces and surface tension is included, as well as surface...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Capillarity Measuring Surface Tension
Students are presented with a short lesson on the difference between cohesive forces (the forces that hold water molecules together and create surface tension) and adhesive forces (the forces that causes water to "stick" to solid...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring the Surface Tension of Water
Did you know that when you dip your finger in water and pull it out, the water is actually pulling back on you? Here's a way you can measure how much.
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.
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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Tension Racers!
Students see how different levels of surface tension affect water's ability to move. Teams "race" water droplets down tracks made of different materials, making measurements, collecting data, making calculations, graphing results and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Walking on Water How Do Water Striders Do It?
In this interactive demonstration, students investigate surface tension by enabling a paper model of a water strider to stay on the surface of water.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Chemistry: Physical Properties of Water
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers physical properties of water, hydrogen bonding, surface tension, and vapor pressure.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Water Properties
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In the following online tutorial students will describe the structure and polarity of a water molecule. They will also describe the hydrogen bonding that occurs in...
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.
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: Surface Tension
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. These two are...
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.
Frostburg State University
Frostberg University: Surface Tension and Droplet Size
Discusses the role of surface tension in determining the size of water droplets. Explanation of why a small amount of liquid in a dropper will never run out.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Surface Tension
This is a laboratory exercise which demonstrates the surface tension of water.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Physical States and Properties: Water: Properties and Behavior
Information relating to the properties of water and its behavior.
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Surface Tension Art
Watch Scientist Joe fashion art out of water, paint, and surface tension. Links to video of the experiment.
Frostburg State University
Frostberg University: Surface Tension in Liquids
Explains the role of surface tension in a liquid and how oil can be used to keep water from boiling over.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Properties of Water
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this learning module, students will investigate the chemical and physical properties of the unique and important substance, water.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Chapter 5: The Water Molecule and Dissolving
Nine exemplary chemistry lessons about the water molecule and dissolving complete with handouts and animations.