Investigating properties of water
Focus question: What makes water unique?
Name:
Date:
Period:
In this activity, we will use websites about atoms and the periodic table to help us
understand more about water.
Go to the following websites, follow the directions, and answer the questions.
Go to http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=57&l=&c3=
Read through this page and answer the questions:
1. Why is water a “miracle liquid?”
2. Finish the sentence: “Hydrogen bonding makes water molecules ________________ together.”
3. Why did the Titanic sink, and what does that have to do with hydrogen bonding?
4. How does the basilisk lizard “walk on water,” and what does that have to do with hydrogen bonding?
5. After answering the question above, click on “The Jesus Lizard” link to watch how it works.
Go to http://www.uni.edu/~iowawet/H2OProperties.html
1. What is it called when water changes from liquid to ice, from gas to liquid and from liquid to gas?
2. Compare the pictures of water molecules in all three states. How are they alike and different?
3. Choose one of the following: adhesion and cohesion, surface tension, or capillary action. Read what the
website says about it and summarize what you learned about it using at least 3 complete sentences.
Focus question: What makes water unique?
Observe water in the following states. First, decide what qualitative and quantitative
observations you would like to make using the proper equipment, then record observations
in the data table.
State of
matter of
water
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Qualitative observations
(describing words, use your 5 senses)
Quantitative observations
(measurements, numbers, counting)
Focus question: What makes water unique?
Exploring cohesion
1. Measure 200 mL of water and pour it into the dish.
2. See if you can place the paper clips onto the surface of the water.
3. Record your qualitative and quantitative observations about what you just did.
Qualitative observations
(describing words, use your 5 senses)
Quantitative observations
(measurements, numbers, counting)
1. How did you accomplish the task?
2. What made the paper clip sink?
3. Why do you think the paperclips could float sometimes? How would you explain it?
Exploring adhesion
1. Pour 5 cm of water in the glass beaker.
2. Now take the straw and hold it in the dish so that the bottom of the straw touches the bottom of the
beaker.
3. Observe the water level in the straw and the beaker.
Qualitative observations
(describing words, use your 5 senses)
Quantitative observations
(measurements, numbers, counting)