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Science Y3/Y4 – Water – week 7

THE SURFACE TENSION OF WATER

Truth to Teach (Source)

Matthew 14:22-23 Jesus walking on the water.

To show that the surface of water is held together by a string force called surface tension.

To appreciate that surface tension is like an elastic skin.

To recognise that drops of water from a tap are spherical in shape, due to surface tension.

To learn that some insects like water-skaters rely on surface tension.

Way to Work (Means)

1. Put the following on the board for the children to try to guess the letters, having given
them some clues about today’s lesson.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (surface tension)

2. Ask if anyone knows what we mean by surface tension. (Like an elastic skin on the surface
of water; it is a force.)

3. Show the children pictures of water-skaters and ask how they think these insects stay on
the surface of the water.

4. Read the story of Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-23. Discuss whether
surface tension would have held Jesus up. How could he have walked on the water?

5. Let the children look at a drop of water falling from a tap. Discuss its shape. Explain that
it is spherical due to surface tension, the ‘elastic skin’.

6. Let the children try three experiments on their worksheet, either by rotating the groups or

by everyone doing the experiments together.

7. Conclude the lessons by sharing results and thanking God for the amazing resource of
water and all the amazing ways in which it can be used.

Learning for Life (Fulfilment)

The children will be acquiring more knowledge of the characteristics of water such as
surface tension. They will also be learning to work together to conduct practical work and
to record their results carefully, drawing conclusions from their experiments.

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