Capillary Action of Water

In Science Mom’s Guide to Water, Part 3 – Capillary Action, we learn about Capillary action with “ink Chromatography,” “walking water,” “straw siphon,” “fountain in a bottle”

Siphons are often explained incorrectly as being driven primarily by air pressure. The main force driving them is GRAVITY. But don’t let that trick you into thinking that water always flows downhill, because it can flow uphill too with CAPILLARY ACTION. In this video we explore how water moves–both through capillary action and siphons.

Journal Questions

Can water move uphill against gravity? If so, how is this possible? Can you remember some of the examples of capillary action that Science Mom talked about?
Did you pause the video to make a prediction about Science Mom’s straw siphon? Did you predict the straw was “going to empty ALL of the water out of the big cup and make a huge mess” on her table or did you predict it would “stop part way though”? If you said stop, where did you predict the water would stop?
Did you try any of Science Mom’s experiments from this video? If so, which ones? What did you find? We’d love to see pictures if you took any.

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Topics

Grade Level

2-3

4-5

6-8

Creator

Science Mom

Engaging science activities for kids of all ages.

Materials

water
paper towels
black ink
plate
food coloring
cups
bendable straw
tubing
duct tape
drill
2-liter bottle

Downloads

SMG3-8.5x11