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

    Walking Water Experiment

    March 26, 2015 By Emma Vanstone 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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