Today, the students observed how air molecules are affected by hot water and cold water. The air molecules rise and expand when heated and sink and condense when cold. In addition, the students began building a weather proof structure with common household items. Next week, we will be finishing the building of our weather proof structures and will test to see if they can survive a rain storm and three earthquakes at different magnitudes.
Today, the students learned about the rock cycle and discussed the three types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and how they are formed. We also discussed how geodes are formed and began a geode project. We emptied an egg and put a mixture of hot water and borax inside. It should take about a week for their geodes to form. Today, the students learned about the water cycle (Evaporation/Transpiration -> Condensation -> Precipitation -> collection) and the layers of the ocean (top to bottom: Sunlit Zone, Twilight Zone, Dark Zone, Abyss, Trenches). Each student made their own diagram of each. The concept of density was also discussed due to the layers of the ocean being represented with liquids that do not mix.
I suggest that parents and their children try it at home: *Pour bottom layers first* Sunlit Zone -> Rubbing Alcohol Twilight Zone -> Vegetable Oil Dark Zone -> Colored Water Abyss -> Corn Syrup Today, the students observed the reaction between milk and soap by using their "scientist eyes" and watched the food coloring move around in a pleasing pattern.
The science behind this reaction is that milk is mostly water but it also contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, and tiny droplets of fat suspended in solution. Fats and proteins are sensitive to changes in the surrounding solution (the milk).The soap's polar, or hydrophilic (water-loving), end dissolves in water, and its hydrophobic (water-fearing) end attaches to a fat globule in the milk, weakening the chemical bond. The molecules of fat bend, roll, twist, and contort in all directions as the soap molecules race around to join up with the fat molecules, thus, we seeing this reaction due to the food coloring molecules. |
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