Water

Project: Solutes and Surface Tension

How does the addition of a solute to water affect the response of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances?

Water Drop Splash

Teacher Note

Teachers can use this summative activity to assess student knowledge of the properties of water. Teachers can implement the activity in think-pair-shares or small groups.

This project is an extension of the Hands-On Lab: Cohesion and Surface Tensionglossary term (opens in a new window) of Waterglossary term (opens in a new window). If you have not yet completed this lab, do so before beginning this project.

If you have already completed the lab, watch this video segment to review hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Answer the question about classifying substances as hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or both, and then continue on to the next part of the project.

Water as a Universal Solvent

What does it mean for a substance to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

Classify each substance as hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Note that some substances may be both.

fats

oils

salt

soap

sugar

Hydrophilic

Hydrophobic

Next, work in teams to carry out the same Surface Tension investigation, using the same materials, as in the hands-on lab. But for this investigation, instead of using Clean and Soapy water, use Salt Water and Sugar Water.

Record your Objective, Data, and Analysis and Conclusions where indicated.

Your teacher wants you to resubmit.

For this investigation, use Salt Water and Sugar Water. Record your observations below.

<div tinymce="true" use-dimensions="false">Objective: Describe what you are trying to find out.<br></div>
Objective: Describe what you are trying to find out.

Press Space or enter key to Enter Text
<div tinymce="true" use-dimensions="false">Data: Measure volume, count drops, and record data in millimeters (convert measurements of volume). Record your data in a well-organized table and attach it below.<br></div>
Data: Measure volume, count drops, and record data in millimeters (convert measurements of volume). Record your data in a well-organized table and attach it below.

Press Space or enter key to Enter Text
<div tinymce="true" use-dimensions="false">Analysis and Conclusion: Describe your findings and suggest possible reasons for the differences between salt water and sugar water. Refer to your data in your analysis and conclusions.<br></div>
Analysis and Conclusion: Describe your findings and suggest possible reasons for the differences between salt water and sugar water. Refer to your data in your analysis and conclusions.

Press Space or enter key to Enter Text

Evaluation Criteria: Your answer will be evaluated on the following criteria:

objective is accurate and clearly written in scientific language
data is organized in a table, is recorded in milliliters, and reflects accurate measurements and counting
analysis and conclusions are both present and accurately reflect an understanding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties

Evaluation Criteria
Scale Criteria	3	2	1	0
Objective	Objective is accurate and clearly written in scientific language.	Objective is accurate.	Objective is present but does not accurately describe the experiment.	Component is missing or irrelevant.
Data	Data is organized in a table, is recorded in milliliters, and reflects accurate measurements and counting.	Data is recorded in milliliters, but table is poorly organized or difficult to follow.	Data is not in a well organized table, is incomplete, or reflects sloppy measurement and counting methods.	Component is missing or irrelevant.
Analysis and Conclusion	Both are present, and analysis and conclusions accurately reflect the understanding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.	Both are present, and analysis and conclusions somewhat reflect the understanding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.	Only an analysis or a conclusion is present.	Components are missing or irrelevant.

Project: Solutes and Surface Tension

How does the addition of a solute to water affect the response of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances?

Teacher Note

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