Properties of Water - Liquid

We have been learning about the different properties of water... Water as a solid - ice, Water as a liquid - Surface Tension, Water as a gas - Evaporation.

Our science experiment was about water as liquid and how when water molecules meet air they are pulled together tightly because they are meeting air molecules. 

We had water drop races using coloured water, wax paper and straws. We looked at the shape of the water drops and as we raced had to keep them together.

Understanding that surface tension makes drops of water the shape they are.

Surface Tension is important as it captures dust particles, allows insects to walk on water and is integral in the upward movement of sap in plants.

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The Water Cycle

We have been learning about the water cycle... How the Earths water evaporates as vapour and rises into the atmosphere on air currents and cools until it condenses into water droplets that form clouds. As the droplets bond and become heavier they fall back to Earth as precipitation or rain. The cycle repeats.

We completed an activity where we investigated water vapour and how a puddle of water evaporates over time.

We created our own model water cycles so we can observe what happens to water over time.

Science - Baking Soda & Vinegar

Today we looked at the chemical reaction between Baking Soda (sodium carbonate) & Vinegar (an acid). 

When they mix together they form Carbonate acid which is unstable. It instantly breaks apart which creates all the fizzing as it escapes. 

We enjoyed these reactions similar to a volcano.

Basketball Skills

Today in PE we focused on our basketball skills. We learnt how to dribble the ball and alternate hands, do lay ups to shoot goals, 3 pointers and rebounds. 

Some of our classmates were more skilled than others and had to demonstrate, also spending time one on one with their peers. Our confidence as a class really grew and we all participated in a game to put to use our new skills.

Science - Feeling Friction

We researched what friction is (two surfaces rubbing together to cause heat). We had to decide whether rubbing our hands together normally or rubbing our hands together with detergent would make heat quicker.

Our class was divided in our hypothesis. We timed it and found that rubbing our hands together without detergent created heat more quickly, because with detergent our hands were smoother and a smoother surface takes longer to cause friction.

Science - Paper Drop

We have begun our science unit with a simple experiment "Paper Drop". Our main focus was to look at the specific vocabulary... aim, hypothesis, fair testing, observations, scientific conclusions. 

Although we were able to predict the outcome (rolled up paper drops quicker then a flat piece) the challenge was explaining it scientifically. 

We learnt that the flat piece of paper had a bigger surface area for the air resistance to push against, this meant it took longer to fall (gravity).