Title: Properties of Water Lab
Directions:
Use your lab section of your notebook to record your data and answer the questions.
Prelab Questions:
1. What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds? Give an example of each.
2. What is the difference between adhesion and cohesion? Give an example of each.
3. What is surface tension? Give an example of it.
4. What is the difference between polar and non polar molecules? Give an example of each.
Directions:
For each station you will have to complete various experiments involving the properties of water.
 Write the objective and prediction for each station BEFORE you start the lab.
Station 1 : Penny Surface Tension
 Objective: Determine the amount of surface tension/ adhesion in water droplets on a penny.
Materials:
Medicine dropper
10 mL graduated cylinder
Pennies (Hot and Cold)
Water
Directions:
1. Make sure the penny is dry.
2. Begin by estimating the number of drops of water that can be piled on the penny at before it spills
over. Record this in the prediction area for station 1a FOR EACH TEMPERATURE.
3. Gently place drops of water on the room temperature penny until the water
spills over.
4. Record the observations and results in the results area for section 1A.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for hot water penny & the cold water penny. Record observations and results.
6. Now rub soap onto the room temperature penny and repeat steps 2-4.
7. Record the changes in observations in the results area for section 1a
Data Table Station 1
Penny Temperature
(without oil)
Predicted # of drops
Actual # of drops
Predicted # of drops
Actual # of drops
Room
Hot
Cold
Penny Temperature (with oil)
Room
Hot
Cold
Station 2 : Water Adhesion
 Objective: Determine the amount of surface tension/ adhesion on wax paper.
Materials:
Water
Glass Slide
Wax Paper
Directions:
1. Make sure the glass slide and wax paper is dry.
2. Begin by predicting what the water drop will look like on the wax paper. Then predict what the
water drop will look like on the glass slide. Record this in the prediction area for station 1b.
3. Gently place drops of water on the wax paper and the glass slide.
4. Record the results in the results area for section 1b.
Data Table Station 2:
Prediction
Actual
Wax Paper
Glass Slide
Station 3: Surface Tension
 Objective: Station 2: Determine if a paperclip will float (water cohesion)
Materials:
Paper clips
Water
Petri Dish
Beaker
Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Obtain your materials.
Fill the beaker with tap water.
Pour the water from the beaker into the petri dish, making sure you fill it to the absolute top.
Carefully slide the paper clip onto the surface of the water. Record your observations in a data
table in your lab notebook.
5. Keep adding paperclips until the surface tension breaks. Record your results and observations.
Data Table 3: Surface Tension
Predicted # of attempts
Observations
Actual # of attempts
Station 4: Adhesion and Cohesion
Materials:
Mason Jar
Mesh Screen
Water
 Objective: To Demonstrate how adhesion and cohesion prevent water from spilling out of the jar.
Directions:
1. Make sure the metal mesh screen is completely dry.
2. Fill the mason jar with water.
Do this lab over the sink!
3. Put the metal mesh screen over the jar.
4. Tighten the lid on the top of the jar.
5. CAREFULLY turn the jar upside down; DO NOT TILT IT... if done correctly the water will stop pouring out.
6. Clean up after each lab member successfully completes the lab.
Question Sheet: Answer these in your lab section of your notebook.
1.
For each station write a 1 paragraph conclusion to your lab observations. What did you predict, what were your results,
why do you think that is, how can you relate it to the properties of water.