Can you make a drop of water move without touching it? By taking advantage of invisible forces, you can move the water drop like magic. The science of molecule attraction is fascinating and easy to demonstrate. For this experiment, let the kids try a bit before you let them in on the science.
What you need:
- Wax Paper
- Toothpick
- Liquid dish soap
What you do:
- Lay about 12 inches of wax paper flat on the table.
- Drop 3 or 4 water droplets onto the wax paper.
- Wet the toothpick with water.
- Bring the toothpick close to, but not touching, the water drops.
- What happens?
- Dip the toothpick into the dish soap.
- Now bring the toothpick near the water drops.
- What happens now?
Why does it work?
Water molecules have a strong attraction for each other. This force is strong enough to make the water move towards the water on the toothpick. But when you dip the toothpick into dish soap, the water water is repelled, not attracted, so the water bubble bursts as it tries to move away.
