Water Properties - Build A Water Bridge (Janica Henzie)

Author

Janica Henzie

Principle(s) Illustrated

Water Adhesion - water molecules stick to other materials
Water Cohesion - water molecules have a strong attraction to other water molecules
Engineering - identify a "problem", design a solution, modify design

Standards

Investigation & Experimentation
- 1.l: Analyze situations and solve problems that require combining and applying concepts from more than one area of science
Chemistry
- 2: Chemical bonds
8.7.c: students know substances can be classified by their properties . . .

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

They should have practical knowledge and experience with water. They should have basic problem solving skills.

Root question:

Can you design/build something that transports the water from one beaker to the other with only the supplies given? Beakers can not cross over the "barrier" and supplies can not move back and forth between the beakers. Use the fewest number of supplies possible.

Target response:

Wet the string and then stretch it tightly between beakers. Slowly pour the water and the water will travel along the string to the other beaker.

Common Misconceptions:

Even if students know the adhesive and cohesive properties of water, they will most likely not believe that this is possible.