Surface Tension Science Experiments for Preschoolers

Let me start this whole post by apologizing for the margarita glass that my preschooler will be interacting with. Sometime I forget to start the dishwasher and the science experiment must go on! So give me some grace and learn along as we explored surface tension!

 

Science experiments are pretty new to our home preschool. Our first experiment was a HUGE success so Loopy and I were both pumped to try again. We’ve been studying astronauts and space this month so I tried to come up with a simple experiment that would relate in some way. Gravity was a new concept introduced this month and we talked a lot about how liquids bubble up in space. So I decided to explore more with a surface tension science experiment.

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The set up is simple

• Wide-mouthed glass filled to the very brim with water
• Small objects to place inside the glass

We both made an estimate of how many decorative gems would fit in the cup before the water spilled over the edge. It was actually quite exciting to watch the water bubble up and not spill over time after time. We were both in awe that well over 50 gems fit inside!

 

We had great discussions about how gravity eventually breaks surface tension here on earth. In space, however, liquid clings to itself in fun and interesting ways because of a little thing called surface tension.

 

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