Surface Tension Science Experiment for Kids

Here is another super fun science experiment to do with your kids in your homeschool classroom! This Surface Tension Science Experiment is a great way to use simple household items to teach kids all about surface tension and how it’s created.

I love using simple items from the kitchen to teach the kids about science. It’s so easy to help them understand various concepts with fun, hands-on experiments. Having something like this Surface Tension Science Experiment is the perfect way to keep their interest. Kids get to play while learning, what better way to teach?

Surface Tension Science Experiment for Kids

Materials Needed:

1 small bowl of water
1 small bowl of milk
yellow liquid food coloring
blue liquid food coloring
ground pepper
toothpicks
dishwashing liquid soap

Directions:

1. Sprinkle pepper on the surface of a bowl of water. Dip a toothpick into the dishwashing liquid soap. Gently touch the surface of the water with the soap end of the toothpick. Watch the pepper move very quickly to the side because the surface tension is disrupted.

2. Add 2 drops of yellow and 3 drops of blue food coloring to the milk. Dip a toothpick in the dishwashing liquid soap. Gently touch the surface of the milk with the soap end of the toothpick.

What happens? The colors quickly move around in the milk.

Take this science experiment to another level:

Use the food coloring in the milk as a color mixing activity.
Try other liquids such as apple juice and coffee. Do they act the same or different?

Surface Tension Science Experiment- use other liquids and observe reaction

Concept Demonstrated: Water and other liquids are similar to a skin covering. The surface contains tiny particles pulling on each other. This is called surface tension.

Learning Objective: Dishwashing liquid soap reduces surface tension. The water particles on the surface spread out more, which is seen as the pepper is moved to the side. The dishwashing liquid also moves the color on the surface of the milk, moving it around and swirling colors together.

This is a super fun science experiment kids will absolutely love doing with you. Let them have fun testing out various liquids and learning how surface tension works.