The Rainbow Walking Water experiment is a fun and colorful activity where kids watch water “walk” from one cup to another using paper towels. As the water moves, it mixes different colors together, creating a beautiful rainbow. This experiment shows how water can travel and mix colors, making it a fun way to learn about how things move and mix!
Rainbow Walking Water Experiment
Overview
The Rainbow Walking Water experiment is a captivating demonstration of capillary action and color mixing. By placing paper towels soaked in colored water between glasses, children observe as the water "walks" along the paper towels, blending colors and creating a visually stunning rainbow effect. This experiment fosters curiosity and understanding of water absorption and color blending.
Objective
The objective of the Rainbow Walking Water experiment is to introduce children to the concepts of capillary action, water absorption, and color mixing in a hands-on and visually engaging manner. By observing the movement of colored water along paper towels, children develop an understanding of these scientific principles while enjoying the creation of a colorful rainbow.
Materials Needed
- 6 clear glasses or jars
- Water
- Food coloring (at least 3 different colors)
- Paper towels
- Optional: Tray or plate to contain any spills
Safety Tips
- Handle glasses or jars carefully to avoid breakage or injury.
- Use caution when handling food coloring to prevent stains on clothing or surfaces.
- Clean up any spills promptly to prevent slips or falls, especially if using a tray or plate to contain the experiment.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fill six glasses halfway with water. Add a different color of food coloring to each glass, creating a red, blue, green, pink and yellow solution. Place the glasses in a row with space between them.
- Fold paper towels lengthwise and place one end in the colored water and the other end in an empty glass, creating a bridge between each pair of glasses.
- Observe as the colored water "walks" along the paper towels, blending colors and creating a vibrant rainbow effect.
Expected Results
The result of the Rainbow Walking Water experiment is the captivating movement of colored water along paper towels, blending colors and creating a visually stunning rainbow effect as a demonstration of capillary action and color mixing.
Scientific Explanation
The Rainbow Walking Water experiment showcases capillary action, where water moves along porous materials, like paper towels, due to adhesive and cohesive forces. Water molecules are attracted to each other (cohesion) and to the paper towel fibers (adhesion), causing the colored water to climb and blend, creating a rainbow effect.
Questions for Further Exploration
How does the distance between cups affect the speed at which the colored water travels in the Rainbow Walking Water experiment?
Can you investigate how using different colors or concentrations of food coloring affects the appearance of the resulting rainbow in the Rainbow Walking Water experiment?