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Home » Key Stage 2 Science » Plants » Walking Water Experiment

Walking Water Experiment

Modified: Apr 5, 2016 · Published: Mar 26, 2015 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

Every now and then we like to try a more ‘traditional’ science experiment and walking water is one I’ve been trying to catch on video for ages. This super simple experiment works quickly and is very impressive. The science behind it, can be a bit tricky for little ones, but you could start by spilling a little bit of water on a table and demonstrating how the paper towel absorbs the water.

Materials

Glasses or jars of the same size

Paper towel

Water

Food colouring

DSC_0139

Method

Place coloured water into the glasses on the outside, leaving the middle one empty.

Cut a piece of kitchen roll in half and fold up each.

Place a piece of kitchen roll so it runs from the glasses with water into the empty one.

Sit back and watch.

 

DSC_0143
 Extension Activities

Can you predict the colour of the water in the middle glass.

Is it faster if you wet the paper towel first?

Would this work if you used a more viscous liquid, vegetable oil for example?

What happens if you use a thicker paper towel?

Why does this work?

The water travels up the kitchen roll by a process called capillary action. The water moves against gravity along the tiny gaps within the fibres of the kitchen roll. Water molecules bind to the paper towel through a process called adhesion, but also stay close to each other as they are cohesive. The gaps in the towel act like capillary tubes, pulling the water upwards.

Another example of this process is where water travels from the roots of a plant to the leaves, we call this transpiration, which is driven by capillary action.

Walking water

Last Updated on April 5, 2016 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Delilah nival

    November 02, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    a producer for walking water

    Reply
  2. Alice sanders

    December 07, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    its an amazing easy last minute science project

    Reply
  3. Kayleigh Mitchells

    January 09, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    love this but can’t do it since someone else did it are there any similar ones I need it asap

    Reply
    • Addrina

      May 05, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Ya u can do this

      Reply
  4. livy

    January 20, 2016 at 4:06 am

    can I see a sience board about this?

    Reply
  5. Sheila couch

    May 12, 2016 at 9:00 am

    I’ve tried this several times. The colors are mixing in the wrong cups. For example I have a red cup, empty one in the middle, then a blue at the other end to make purple. It’s making purple in the blue cup. The middle cup becomes blue instead of mixing with the red and turning purple. What am I doing wrong?

    Reply
    • Addrina

      May 05, 2017 at 6:22 pm

      What you are doing wrong is you need to put them farther apart on your sides then they will not mix

      Reply
  6. DORIS BELTRE

    October 18, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    My son is doing this project and although the blue and read didnt turn purple, (it turn a very light color) we are still going to continue with it. The purpose of the project is to show how water travels, right. The purpose isnt to see what color the next color will be, although the colors are beautiful : ) We did 7 cups instead. It looks great!!

    Reply
  7. thilal hasod

    November 02, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    this is the most coolest thing I have ever seen! I can really use this for a science fair!

    Reply
    • thilal hasod

      December 30, 2016 at 7:40 pm

      man this experiment is taking a long time to do for a science fair. I wish I can change my experiment for my science fair, but apparently I CAN’T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

      Reply
  8. Janice Garcia

    March 29, 2017 at 3:55 am

    Thanks to Sheila Couch… I need to experiment where the colors go to make the correct colors in the school science fair… How sad how no one answered Sheila Couch’s question… I guess I have to guessing what goes where…

    Reply
  9. gabby cords

    September 25, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    I’m going to do this for my science project this year its about to look lit!

    Reply
  10. G-money

    October 02, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    I’m about to do a project on this so its about to be lit on my board! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Shraddha .s. anchi

    October 07, 2017 at 5:07 am

    Interesting about science and also curiousness !! Wonderful experiment can do with home supplies..

    Reply
  12. Rodo

    January 12, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Good prediction

    Reply
  13. Rodo

    January 12, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    I’re gonna use it

    Reply

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