How do cohesion and adhesion work together? The third installment of a nine-part series teaches young scientists the difference between adhesion and cohesion. They also learn how cohesion and adhesion work together to cause capillary action.

Concepts

surface tension, capillary action, adhesion, cohesion, water molecules, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Have learners brainstorm different examples of capillary action in a journal entry

Classroom Considerations

• Be sure to use the two activities associated with this lesson (fourth and fifth installments of the series)
• Though not indicated in the materials section, a glass of water, food coloring, and paper towels are necessary for the demonstration
• Participants need to have experience with the cosine function in order to understand the given equations

Pros

• Includes easily decipherable diagrams

Cons

• No handouts or worksheets for the lesson portion are included