Easy and funny experiments

THE SOAP MOTORBOAT

BEFORE you start:

·        Get your parent’s or teacher’s permission...

·        ...and follow the instructions 😏

This experiment is called the "SOAP MOTORBOAT"! 

Check the following video to see what it is all about:

So, how does this work? What do we need to repeat the experiment at home or in class? Do you remember?

We need:

- A tray or bowl full of water

- Aluminium foil 

- Liquid soap

- A toothpick

The experiment:

- Fashion a boat out of the aluminium foil

- Put your boat into the bowl full of water

- Add some liquid soap and the end of your boat with the help of the the toothpick

- Observe what's happening!!

How does it work?

Soap is a surfactant and breaks down the surface tension of water.  As the surface tension is broken up, it creates enough of a force to push the lightweight boat across the surface. Once the the water’s surface tension will be in equilibrium, there no more force provided and the boat may also sink depending on the model ;)

More details here

 

Make it your way:

- Does it also work with larger "boats"? Try to make a 10cm large boat and see what will happen

- Can you make a "boat" which travel in clockwise direction?

- Is it possible to use other materials than aluminium foil?

- Have you any other ideas? Let us now in the comment field

Greets from TIK