Basics

• Project TitleAtoms, Water and Magnetism
• ThemeChemistry, with links to physics
• Submitted ByJennifer Leonard
• OrganizationThe Skills Library
• Brief DescriptionFive simple experiments that suggest the connection between atoms/molecules and electricity and magnetism. In our Science Wednesdays program we did this activity in a 90-minute session; but it could be expanded to allow more time for linking theory and experiment.
• Materials / ResourcesFor making and un-making a cup of tea:
  Warm water for tea
  Tea bags (we used a red fruit tea)
  Potting soil (for filter material) (any sand or soil will work)
  Coffee filters
  Peat pots (or anything that can be used to make a filter)
  Clear cups/glasses for tea & filtered water
  
  FOR OVERFILLING A CUP OF WATER:
  Pipettes and pipette tray or other substitute containers
  
  Magnets
  
  FOR ELECTRO-MAGNETS:
  Nails/bolts
  Wires
  Batteries
  
• Pre-requisite knowledgeMany of the children have a general awareness of chemistry and of atoms/molecules. This session is just part of the process of starting to think about the chemical structure of everyday substances.

Units / Activities

• QuestionQuestion: Have you ever heard that water molecules are a little bit like magnets?
• DiscussionDiscussion: Atoms are made of particles -- protons, electrons and neutrons. These particles are in constant motion. Electrons and protons have a slight electrical charge - a little bit of zing!
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• Experiments - Water, magnetsSee attached page or activity sheet.
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  View/Download File: Atoms, Water and Magnets - Five Experiments

• Follow-up - Models of atoms/moleculesProvide models of atoms/molecules and a periodic table. We have a periodic table made of puzzle-piece tiles that you can click together.
  
  Allow time to handle and think about these supplies.

Activity Sheets

• Atoms, Water and Magnets

  Atoms and molecules
  Science Wednesday

  1.       Atoms are made of tiny particles that are constantly in motion.

  2.       These particles have electrical charges – a little zing! – and attract particles from other atoms & molecules.

  3.       FOR EXAMPLE: Magnets are made of elements that have a strong positive charge on one side and a strong negative charge on another.

  4.       DID YOU KNOW:  Water molecules are a tiny bit magnetic too.  Notice how water molecules stick to each other and to anything you dissolve in water.

  Challenge 1:  Try out a magnet: (a.)  Use any of the magnets on the table to connect to other magnets or to pick up pieces of metal

  Challenge 2: Make a cup of tea: A.      Dissolve tea in a cup of warm water B.      THINK LIKE A SCIENTIST:   Imagine that each water molecule and each water droplet is like a magnet, attracting the particles of tea.

  Challenge 3:  Over-fill a container with water   (a.)  Use a dropper to fill up a container with water. (b.)  Keep adding more water to see if you can fill the container higher than the edges without spilling. (c.)   THINK LIKE A SCIENTIST:  Why does this work?

  Challenge 4: Make an electromagnet: (a.)  Wrap wire around a straight piece of metal (bolt or nail).  (b.)  BRIEFLY attach both ends of the wire to a battery (c.)   Test to see if the electromagnet will pick up a paperclip (d.)  Quickly disconnect the electromagnet before it gets too hot. (e.)  Use cardboard to design a frame for the electromagnet. (f.)    THINK LIKE AN INVENTOR:  How could you use an electromagnet to make something useful?

  Challenge 5:  Un-make a cup of tea:   (a.)  Can you use some type of filter to turn the cup of tea back into clear water? (b.)  THINK LIKE AN INVENTOR:  How can you use filters to make something useful?

   

   

   

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Tags = Science-Wednesdays | chemistry | Subject = Science | Grade Level = Elem, MS | Time Period = | Program/Funding = |

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Direct website link to this project: http://ContextualLearningPortal.org/contextual.asp?projectnumber=650.9195