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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Cohesion and Adhesion in Liquids: Surface Tension and Capillary Action

For Students 11th - 12th
From a chapter on Fluid Statics in a Physics textbook. This section of the chapter describes the cohesive and adhesive forces in liquids, the role of cohesion in the surface tension of liquids and bubbles, and how capillary action works....
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Surface Tension Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students extend their understanding of surface tension by exploring the real-world engineering problem of deciding what makes a "good" soap bubble. Student teams first measure this property, and then use this measurement to determine the...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Exploring Capillary Action

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students observe multiple examples of capillary action. First they observe the shape of a glass-water meniscus and explain its shape in terms of the adhesive attraction of the water to the glass. Then they study capillary tubes and...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Measuring Surface Tension

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students observe capillary action in glass tubes of varying sizes. Then they use the capillary action to calculate the surface tension in each tube. They find the average surface tensions and calculate the statistical errors.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Surface Tension Basics

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are presented with the question: "Why does a liquid jet break up into droplets?" and introduced to its importance in inkjet printers. A discussion of cohesive forces and surface tension is included, as well as surface acting...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Surface Tension

For Teachers K - 1st
A simple experiment investigating surface tension and the cohesive property of water, using just water, pepper, and liquid soap.