Title – Mixing soap with water and pepper

By – Jena

Primary Subject – Science

Grade Level – any

Note from LessonPlansPage.com:

you really have to try this! It is a really awesome demonstration that would be great as a magic trick or as an idea for a creative writing assignment involving magic.

Materials: toothpick, bowl, liquid dishwashing soap, pepper, and water

Procedure:

1. Fill the bowl with water

2. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of pepper above the water

3. Dip the tip of the toothpick in the liquid soap

4. Place the tip of the toothpick with the soap side into the water.

5. Watch as the pepper

dramatically

backs away from the toothpick

Note from LessonPlansPage.com:

if you have tried it, then read on for “the secret.”

The actual science happens because the soap breaks the surface tension of the water, like popping a balloon. It is the water that moves, not the pepper that is floating on it.

E-Mail

Jena

!