Water plays a crucial role in life. There are very few substances on Earth more important than water. All plants and animals cannot survive without it. If there was no water on Earth, there would be no life. In addition to its own intrinsic value, water also has an amazing range of properties and uses.
Here is a collection of simple but incredibly fun water experiments for you to explore water properties and to learn about their use.
Refraction
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another.
You can do some really good magic tricks using this water refraction property.
Water Density
Density is the key to the floating property of water. Buoyancy and density are interrelated and they can be used in interesting experiments.
Surface Tension
Surface tension exists in water because water molecules (the little pieces of water) tend to stick to one another (cohesion). You can come up with endless interesting projects using water’s surface tension property.
Water Cycle Experiments
The water cycle can affect the Earth’s weather and climate. Clouds, rivers and ground water are all part of it. When one element in the cycle is disrupted, the environment and landscape can be affected significantly. Create this mini water cycle in a bag to see the water cycle in action.
Evaporation is a vital stage in the water cycle. Water on the ground or in the ocean are evaporated to create vapor and vapors condense to become clouds that make rain.
Capillary Action
Capillary action is one of the most amazing water properties. This experiment illustrates how plants absorb nutrients and stay alive through capillary action.
This is another experiment that uses capillary action in wooden toothpicks. You will see an expanding star forming right in front of you.
Water Pressure Experiments
As you submerge in water, you will feel a force pushing at you from all sides. That is water pressure. It is a force that pushes water from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. Take a look at this simple water pressure experiment.
These experiments explore the solubility property of water. They are very entertaining to do and to look at, especially this Candy Science experiment.
Freezing Point
Besides the freezing point, the boiling point is also a very special property of water. See why salts are used to melt ice after a winter storm.
Can you come up with an interesting boiling point experiment for the next science fair?
That’s it? These are all the water properties experiments?
Of course not!
There are basically countless science projects you can come up with exploring one water characteristic or another.
Water is fun!