MISSION 10 · CHEMISTRY DISCOVERY
Can water climb up and cross a bridge made from soft tissue?
3 · Investigate Water
Your new skill: Compare wet fronts without promising a particular winner.
Revisit the skill you will reuse: Previous main-path mission
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
This container holds and mixes liquids. Its mL marks help us measure volume: how much liquid we use.
Look for: Find the scale and the mL label. One millilitre is a small unit of liquid volume.
Before using it: Put it flat, look at the water level from the side and use readable markings. Ask for a measuring cup if the kit marks are unclear.
Your turn: Point to the 10 mL line without adding powder.
A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them.
Look for: Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand.
Before using it: Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction.
Your turn: Place two empty tubes in the stand and label them A and B.
These papers give colour clues about acidity. Litmus tells us acid or base clues; pH paper is compared with its matching colour chart.
Look for: Find red or blue litmus, or pH strips with their supplied chart. They are not interchangeable.
Before using it: Use a fresh piece for each sample and read at the stated time. A colour estimate is not an exact laboratory pH or a food safety test.
Your turn: Match an unused strip to its packet and chart.
Tissue has tiny spaces between fibres. Water can travel through them; layers can also trap some particles.
Look for: Find the same tissue type for both strips in a comparison.
Before using it: Keep tissue type and water amount the same when testing strip width. A filter result is not water purification.
Your turn: Feel dry tissue, then predict what a damp edge might do.
A ruler measures distance. A timer measures elapsed time. Your paper records a prediction and result so you can compare tests.
Look for: Find the cm marks or the timer display and a place to draw or write.
Before using it: Use the same start point and method each time. You can say, point or draw your evidence instead of writing long answers.
Your turn: Choose the mark where the first measurement will begin.
A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools.
Look for: Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list.
Before using it: Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts.
Your turn: Show where a spill would land and where electrical parts will stay dry.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Beaker or measuring cup. This container holds and mixes liquids. Its mL marks help us measure volume: how much liquid we use. Find the scale and the mL label. One millilitre is a small unit of liquid volume. Put it flat, look at the water level from the side and use readable markings. Ask for a measuring cup if the kit marks are unclear. Test tube and stand. A tube holds a small sample. The stand helps keep tubes upright while we compare them. Find the narrow containers and matching holes in the stand. Label samples before filling. Keep them open and stable; never seal a fizzing reaction. Litmus and pH paper. These papers give colour clues about acidity. Litmus tells us acid or base clues; pH paper is compared with its matching colour chart. Find red or blue litmus, or pH strips with their supplied chart. They are not interchangeable. Use a fresh piece for each sample and read at the stated time. A colour estimate is not an exact laboratory pH or a food safety test. Tissue and paper strips. Tissue has tiny spaces between fibres. Water can travel through them; layers can also trap some particles. Find the same tissue type for both strips in a comparison. Keep tissue type and water amount the same when testing strip width. A filter result is not water purification. Ruler timer and evidence sheet. A ruler measures distance. A timer measures elapsed time. Your paper records a prediction and result so you can compare tests. Find the cm marks or the timer display and a place to draw or write. Use the same start point and method each time. You can say, point or draw your evidence instead of writing long answers. Tray cup and dry workspace. A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools. Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list. Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Plain-water trials do not need reaction materials. If coloured indicator solution is reused, wear goggles and do not touch the wet tissue.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Will the narrow strip or wide strip show a faster rising wet line?
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Compare wet fronts without promising a particular winner.
You have just practised use a tiny soap touch to explore a surface effect. Now: compare wet fronts without promising a particular winner.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Cut or tear two tissue strips of equal length: one narrow and one about twice as wide. Ask an adult if cutting is required.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Cut or tear two tissue strips of equal length: one narrow and one about twice as wide. Ask an adult if cutting is required.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
Water moves through small spaces between tissue fibres by capillary action. Wider tissue is not guaranteed to move the wet front farther; thickness, folds and contact also matter.
Capillary action helps paper towels absorb spills and helps plants move water through narrow pathways.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Compare strip width while keeping material, length, water amount, dip depth and timing the same.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
WHAT YOU SEE LIKELY REASON TRY THIS FIRST The tissue does not become wet above the cup The strip may not touch the water. Lower the end slightly and restart the timer. The whole strip falls in The support is weak. Use the tube stand or tape supplied for the supervised setup. Results are hard to compare The strips started differently. Prepare equal lengths and begin both at the same time.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Discard used tissue. Pour away plain water or dispose of indicator solution as directed. Rinse and dry the cups.
NEXT SKILL
Separate particles while distinguishing filtration from purification.