Date _____
Properties of Water Station Activity
Name _______________
Directions: Move around the room and participate in each of the water stations. Follow the directions at each
station and answer the questions to. Once you are finish with a station reset it for the next group.
Demo: Heat Capacity
Fill one balloon with small amount water and then blow it up with air. Fill a second balloon with only air. Hold the
two balloons over a lit candle and record how low it takes for the balloon to pop.
1. Record the time it took for the balloon to pop.
Balloon with air: ______
Balloon with water: _______
2. Water heats up faster / slower than air.
3. Water has a higher / lower heat capacity than air.
Station 1: Density of Ice
The two cans are completely identical, except can 1 has been frozen and can 2 has been left at room temperature.
1. Describe how the appearance of the frozen can is different that the liquid can.
2. Record the mass of the two cans.
Frozen Can: _______
Liquid Can: ________
3. Record the volume of the two cans using water displacement.
Frozen Can: _______
Liquid Can: ________
4. Calculate the density of the two cans.
Frozen Can: _______
Liquid Can: ________
5. The water in the frozen can would have more / less hydrogen bonds than the water in the liquid can.
Station 2: Thermal Expansion
The test tubes filled with the colored water will serve as a homemade thermometer.
1. Record the initial water level in 2 of the tubes. Then place 1 tube in the hot water and the other tube in the
cold water and measure the height of the water again after one minute. Record your results in the table:
Initial water level
(measured in cm)
Water level after 1
minute (cm)
Water level in the test tube in the hot water
Water level in the test tube in the cold water
2. When water is heated it takes up more / less space and becomes more / less dense.
3. When water is cooled it takes up more / less space and becomes more / less dense.
Date _____
Properties of Water Station Activity
Name _______________
Station 3: Surface Tension
Hold a paper clip above the dish of water and drop it in. Observe whether the paper clip sinks or floats in the
water. Take another dry paper clip and gently set it on the surface of the water to get it to float.
1. The paper clip is more / less dense than the water.
2. Explain why the paper can float on water if it is gently placed on the surface.
3. The paper clip floating on the surface of water is an example of adhesion / cohesion.
Station 4: Water and Wax Paper
Use a tooth pick to move around the water drops on the wax paper.
1. The water molecules do not mix with the wax paper because the wax paper is polar / nonpolar.
2. The water molecule stick to the toothpick because the toothpick is polar / nonpolar.
3. The water molecule bonding with the end of a toothpick is an example of adhesion / cohesion.
4. Explain how the water behaves differently on the aluminum foil when compared to wax paper.
Station 5: Solubility
Each of the test tubes contains a different mixture. Invert each test tube and allow it to settle.
Tube 1: Water
and Copper
Sulfate (Salt)
1. Does copper sulfate (salt) mix with water? Yes / No
2. This is because the copper sulfate is polar / nonpolar.
Tube 2: Water
and Wax
3. Does copper wax with water? Yes / No
4. This is because the water is polar / nonpolar.
Tube 3: Oil and
Food Coloring
5. Does the food coloring mix with oil? Yes / No
6. This is because the food coloring polar / nonpolar and the oil is polar / nonpolar
Station 6: Static Electricity
Turn of the water from the sink so that it is a slow trickle. Then vigorously rub the object back and forth with a paper
towel. Hold the object close to the trickle of water but do not let it come in contact with the water.
1. Why must you rub the object with the paper towel?
2. The water bends around the object because water is polar / nonpolar
3. How is a polar molecule different than a nonpolar molecule?
Date _____
Properties of Water Station Activity
Name _______________
Station 7: Electrolysis of Water
Electrolysis is the process of passing a large electric current through a compound to separate it into its elements.
Turn on the power source and observe the water in the tubes.
1. What evidence can be observed, that shows water molecules are being split into its elements?
2. Explain how the reaction in tubes A and B is similar.
3. Explain how the reaction in tubes A and B is different.
4. Can you predict which tube (A or B) produces oxygen gas? Is there any evidence to support your prediction?