Science in a Second: Energy and Change

Conceptual Strand Energy and change Activity Title Surface tension- drops on a coin Objectives To investigate surface tension.

Grade 6 and 7

Introduction You might have heard water called H2O. This is the chemical formula for water. A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen particles (or atoms) and one oxygen particle (atom). The hydrogen atoms have a positive charge and the oxygen atom has a negative charge. This means that the atoms in the water molecules attract each other (positive and negatives attract each other much the same as the north and south poles of a magnet). The forces between the atoms are called cohesive forces. Figure 1 shows the direction of the forces between the water molecules. The cohesive forces between the water molecules below the surface are shared with all the atoms of neighbouring molecules. This means the forces are spread evenly all around. Those on the surface have no water molecules above them. As a result, they cohere more strongly to those directly associated with them on the surface. The uneven spread of these cohesive forces at the water surface is responsible for the skin that forms. This distribution of the intermolecular attractive forces at the surface is called surface tension. Surface tension enables water droplets to form and allows water striders to run across ponds. This investigation explores the strength of surface tension. Definitions Surface tension Aim To test the strength of the surface tension of water by finding how many drops of water can fit on a 5 cent piece.
This material may be freely copied or adapted without the authors consent. However, appropriate acknowledgement should be made to the author.

Figure 1: The direction of cohesive forces between water molecules (black circles) below the surface (A) and at the surface (B). The distribution of forces at the surface creates to the phenomenon known as surface tension. Modified from Hyperphysics 2009.

atomic force

positive

negative

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Science in a Second: Energy and Change

Materials Laboratory Equipment Pipette or dropper Coin or metal disc Beaker Newspaper Water Safety There are no safety concerns if instructions are followed. Procedure 1. Place a piece of newspaper on your work surface. 2. Predict how many drops of water your coin will hold before the water spills off the coin. 3. Test your prediction by dropping one drop of water at a time onto your coin until it spills over the edges. Count how many drops it takes. Record your data in the table. 4. Test it again until you have tested it three times. (Did you get the same number each time)? 5. Average your results by adding them up and dividing by three. Investigate the surface tension of other liquids (eg oil, glycerine, detergent, mixtures of these and water). Observations The drops pile up on the coin in a dome shape, before the dome bursts and flows off the coin. Results Liquid used Water Prediction for number of drops that will be held Actual number of drops Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average number of drops Classroom alternative Pipette or straw 5 cent piece Plastic cup Newspaper Water

Explanation When you place water drops on a 5 cent piece, the drops pile up into a dome shape. This is because water molecules are attracted to each other in all directions, making them stick together. However, the molecules at the surface stick only to the molecules below and next to them. There are no molecules above them. This makes the surface of the water behave like it has a skin. This is known as surface tension. As more drops are added, the force of gravity becomes stronger than the forces of attraction among the water molecules at the surface. This causes the water to spill over the edge of the coin, breaking the surface tension. Other types

This material may be freely copied or adapted without the authors consent. However, appropriate acknowledgement should be made to the author.

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Science in a Second: Energy and Change

of liquids have different surface tensions to water. This is due to the different types of atoms (chemical composition) and the strength of the intermolecular forces between the atoms. Questions What is surface tension? Answers to questions See introduction. Extension Use the same procedure to test the surface tension of different liquids- eg milk, detergent, glycerine, vegetable oil. How does the surface tension of different liquids vary? How do these liquids affect the surface tension of water?

Links Surface tension boat References

Hyperphysics (2009). Surface Tension. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/surten.html. Downloaded 4/08/2009.

Introductory magnets

This material may be freely copied or adapted without the authors consent. However, appropriate acknowledgement should be made to the author.

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