Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: An in Depth Comparison of Cohesion vs. Adhesion

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what cohesion and adhesion are; what their effects are in a liquid; what surface tension, a meniscus, and capillary action are; and gives examples of where one can observe cohesion and adhesion.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: The Concept and Meaning of Capillary Action

For Students 9th - 10th
Defines capillary action and discusses its applications. The physics of surface tension, cohesion, and adhesion are explained and a simple experiment is provided. Includes a number of examples where capillary action takes place.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Float Your Metal Boat

For Students 1st - 5th
This experiment from Bill Nye shows that breaking the surface tension of a body of water can provide enough energy to propel a boat (or an insect!).
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Capillary Action

For Students 9th - 10th
Capillary is described and explained. It is related to surface tension. Examples in botany and human physiology are given.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Magic Milk

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan is designed to engage students in a discussion and demonstration of molecules, surface tension, and bonding. Students will use hands on materials as well as technology. This lesson plan shows how a solution works to...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Soap Powered Boat Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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.
Activity
TOPS Learning Systems

Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Water Domes [Pdf]

For Students 1st - 5th
Investigate the cohesive tension on the surface of water.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Walking on Water How Do Water Striders Do It?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
This activity is designed for students to get a first look at water tension. It also allows them to make a model and test a situation seen in nature with materials that are readily available.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Penny Perfect Properties (Solid Liquid Interactions)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the property dependence between liquid and solid interfaces and determine observable differences in how liquids react to different solid surfaces. They compare copper pennies and plastic "coins" as the two test...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Investigating Contact Angle

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students observe how water acts differently when placed on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. They determine which coatings are best to cause surfaces to shed water quickly or reduce the "fogging" caused by condensation.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Exploring the Lotus Effect

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students test and observe the "self-cleaning" lotus effect using a lotus leaf and cloth treated with a synthetic lotus-like superhydrophobic coating. They also observe the Wenzel and Cassie Baxter wetting states by creating and...
Handout
Michael Blaber, PhD

Fsu: Properties of Liquids: Viscosity and Surface Tension

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from the Florida State University provides a basic definition of viscosity and it origin in liquids.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Science Safari: Fighting Malaria

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore the issues surrounding the mosquito infestations. Investigate surface tension to explain how the egg rafts stay afloat and mosquitoes are able to stand on the water's surface, and review proper disposal of automobile tires.
Activity
Science Bob Pflugfelder

Science Bob: Make a Paper Clip Float [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Science activity demonstrates how surface tension is used to suspend a paperclip on the surface of water.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Flying High: Taking to the Air

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore the science of surface tension, the evolution of flight in insects and insects' anatomical adaptations. Construct insect models that illustrate the action of these adaptations and calculate the force per unit area of water surface.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Floating Paper Clips Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore surface tension in water by making a paper clip float.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Salt and Pepper Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Demonstrate surface tension by sprinkling pepper on a bowl full of water, then touching a soapy finger to the water.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Bubble Tray: Create Giant Bubbles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
With this fun bubble tray experiment, students create giant bubbles and learn about surface tension and light interference.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Float You Metal Boat

For Students 1st - 5th
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how surface tension makes things move.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: How Many Drops?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson and its associated activity, middle schoolers conduct a simple test to determine how many drops of each of three liquids can be placed on a penny before spilling over. The three liquids are water, rubbing alcohol, and...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Students as Scientists

For Teachers 6th - 9th
This curricular unit contains two lessons that let students actually do the work of scientists as they design their own experiments to answer questions they generate. In the first lesson and its associated activity, students conduct a...
Lesson Plan
University of South Florida

Fcat: Drops on a Penny: Teacher Notes

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students learn how to create stem-and-leaf diagrams and boxplots by collecting data on the surface tension of water molecules. This hands-on activity using pennies is a great way to learn how to organize data.
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Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Ap Physics: Fluid Statics: Conceptual Questions

For Students 11th - 12th
This is a list of 39 questions covering the concepts presented in Chapter 11: Fluid Statics from the AP Physics online text.
Unknown Type
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Ap Physics: Fluid Statics: Problems and Exercises

For Students 11th - 12th
This is a list of 83 problems/exercises to solve based on the content in Chapter ll: Fluid Statics from the AP Physics online text.

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