Surface tension is a phenomenon that occurs when the molecules of a liquid form an attraction to each other. This phenomenon occurs on the surface of the liquid, which causes a thin film or membrane to form. Water has a high surface tension, which is why it tends to form droplets on a surface. The surface tension of water can be observed in a few different ways, and one of them is through a science experiment.
What You Need to Do This Experiment
In order to demonstrate the surface tension of water, you will need the following items: a shallow dish, a pipette, a few cotton swabs, and some water. You may also want to have some paper towels on hand in case of any spills.
Performing the Experiment
To begin the experiment, fill the shallow dish with water. Then, use the pipette to drop a few drops of water into the dish. You will notice that the water forms droplets on the surface of the dish. This is an example of surface tension.
Testing the Surface Tension
Next, take one of the cotton swabs and dip it into the water. Gently press down on the swab and observe the water's reaction. You will notice that the water droplets will move away from the swab. This is because the surface tension of the water is resisting the pressure of the swab, and the droplets move away to relieve the pressure.
More Tests
Repeat the same experiment with different amounts of water, or with different types of materials, such as a spoon or a pencil. You will observe that the surface tension of the water reacts differently with each object. For example, the spoon may cause more of the water to move away than the pencil, because the spoon has a greater surface area than the pencil.
Conclusion
This experiment is a great way to learn about the surface tension of water and how it reacts to different objects. Surface tension can be observed in many different liquids, and it is an important concept to understand in science. After completing this experiment, you should have a better understanding of the surface tension of water and how it behaves.