Title
My Mommy Always Told Me to
Wash My Hands With Warm
Soapy Water!!
PROBLEM/QUESTION
Will heat and soap affect surface tension?
Research
At least three sources from internet websites, library books, etc.
explaining surface tension, describing water and how water molecules are
unique by naturally bonding together to form a bridge at the surface
allowing insects to actually walk on water, also providing reasoning why
warm soapy water is used when washing your hands, face, and even your
dirty clothes.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/surten.html#c4
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/surten.html#c4
http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/kids/TENSION.HTM
Drop of Water Picture Book
Encyclopedia
Science Magazines
Hypothesis/Prediction
I think that heat and soap combined will
cause water molecules to break down the
most, weakening the surface tension.
Experimental Design
Step 1- Collect supplies; four small clear
plastic cups, water, three bags of gem
stones, liquid soap, paper towels, black
pen and paper for labels.
Step 2- Label four cups with A, B, C, D.
Step 3- Boil 2 gallons of water in a large
pot on a hot plate.
Experimental Design
Step 4- While waiting for the water to boil, fill cup
A to the very top (the brim). Do the same for
cup B.
Step 5- Drop one gem stone at a time carefully
into cup A until you see the water spill over the
sides of the cup. Count the number of gem
stones it takes to cause the water to spill over
the edge of the cup. Record this number in the
chart, draw and describe the dome of water
building on top of the cup.
Experimental Design
Step 6- Now add five cups of liquid soap to
cup B and allow a minute for it to disperse
into the water. Repeat the process you
used with cup A. Count the number of
gem stones required to cause the water to
spill over the edge of the cup. Record this
in the chart, draw and describe the dome
of water building over the cup.
Experimental Design
Step 7- Fill cups C and D with the boiling
water. Be very careful, get help from an
adult! Fill these cups to the very top! Like
cups A and B.
Experimental Design
Step 8- Add five drop of liquid soap to cup
D allow a minute for it to disperse
throughout the water.
Step 9- Add gem stones to Cup C until
water overflows. Draw and describe the
dome. Record this information. Repeat
this process for Cup D and record your
results into your chart.
Experimental Design
Step 10- Repeat steps 1-9 at least three
more times for validity, credibility, and
accuracy.
Data and Graph
Cup A
Cold Water
Average
1st trial 30 gems
2nd trial 31 gems
3rd trial 32 gems
31 gems
Cup B
Cold Soapy
Water
Average
1st trial 15 gems
2nd trial 14 gems
3rd trial 13 gems
14 gems
Cup C
Boiling Water
1st
Average
trial 20 gems
2nd trial 21 gems
3rd trial 22 gems
21 gems
Cup D
Boiling Soapy
Water
Average
1st trial 10 gems
2nd trial 11 gems
3rd trial 12 gems
11 gems
35
30
25
Cup
Cup
Cup
Cup
20
15
10
5
0
1st
Trial
3rd
Trial
A
B
C
D
Data Analysis
As I analyzed the data from each cup I discovered that
the water molecules were the strongest in Cup A, the
cold water. The most amount of gems, 31 were able to
be dropped into this cup without the water spilling over,
which caused this cup to have the largest dome of
water, in height, form at the top of the cup.
In comparison, Cup D, the hot soapy water weakened
the water molecules the most, as the smallest dome of
water existed at the top of the cup and the least amount
of gems, 11, were able to be dropped into the cup
without the water spilling over.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my hypothesis was proven to
be correct. The heat and soap combined caused
water molecules to break down the most,
weakening the surface tension. This proves my
reasoning why my mommy always told me to
wash my face and hands with hot soapy water.
The hot soapy water allows the water molecules
to break down enough to go into the deep
crevices and pores of my skin, rather than just
rolling off my skin like cold drops of rain.
New Questions
What I Will Do Next
After having done this experiment I am
wondering what type of liquid soap breaks down
the most water molecules? How do face washing
soaps, hand soaps, body soaps, and
dishwashing soaps compare in weakening the
surface tension of water?
I will compare the surface tension of water using
different types of liquid soaps (hand, body,
dishwashing).
Science Fair Information
Our school science fair is on Thursday, February 16th, 2006.
Students may work alone or in groups of two.
Student winners in the 4th-6th grade can go on to compete
from our fair to the district fair, at the Salt Lake City Main
Library. 5th and 6th grade winners from that fair can go on
and compete at the regional science fair at the University of
Utah. If you are interested in turning in a project that can
compete at either of those levels there are more specific
rules this year than in previous years.
Science Fair Rules
You should go to the website:
www.slc.k12.ut.us/staff/larmad/science/pages/sci
fair.htm
Click on the student's section and read through
the rules and new procedure.
New Science Fair Rules
If you are turning in a project without the
thought of competing at the district or
regional level then our rules for our fair
are not as strict. We encourage everyone
to turn in a project but want those
students who want to compete at higher
levels to be aware of stricter guidelines.
New Science Fair Information
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHANGES:
• Students must turn in a journal that records their progress with
their science fair experiment.
• New display areas: How your board should be put together.
Abstract
TITLE
Results
(Summary of Project)
(Catchy)
(Graph/Data Analysis)
Introduction (Problem and
background info/research)
Hypothesis
Conclusion
Data
Bibliography
(Drawings/Observations/Photos)
Procedure (simplified)
New Questions
New Science Fair Information
*The abstract should be a one-page
summary of your experiment that includes
a problem, procedure, data and conclusion
overview. Maximum of 250 words.
*New this year are forms that must be
completed before any human subjects are
used. Read this section on the website if
your project uses people in any way.
How to get Ideas
For Science Fair Projects
*Think of what really interests you or what have you been learning about in
science this year that interested you?
Then browse through science books, the internet, or ask your teacher.
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/
http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/welcome.html
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/
http://www.pbs.org/
Remember to Have FUN
Exploring, Discovering, and
Learning!! Good Luck!!
Science Board Layout
Abstract
Summary of Project
Title
Get Judge’s Attention
Introduction
(Problem and
background
info/research)
Hypothesis
Procedure
(simplified)
Results
Data Analysis
Graph
Conclusion
Data:Drawings/
Observations/
Photos
Bibliography
New Questions