Rainbow Walking Water Experiment

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 Ages: 5-12

Objective: Demonstrate capillary action and color mixing by creating a colorful display of "walking" water between cups.

Materials Needed:

  1. Six clear plastic cups
  2. Water
  3. Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)
  4. Paper towels
  5. Spoon or pipette

Procedure:

  1. Set Up the Cups:

    • Arrange six clear plastic cups in a row.
    • Fill cups 1, 3, and 5 with water.

  2. Color the Water:

    • Add a few drops of red food coloring to cup 1, yellow to cup 3, and blue to cup 5. Stir each cup to mix the color evenly.

  3. Prepare the Paper Towels:

    • Fold paper towels into strips. You will need two strips per color (total of six strips).

  4. Place Paper Towels:

    • Place one end of a paper towel strip into cup 1 filled with red water and the other end into cup 2 (empty).
    • Repeat with yellow (cup 3 to cup 2) and blue (cup 5 to cup 6).

  5. Observe and Wait:

    • Watch as the colored water begins to "walk" up the paper towels and into the empty cups 2, 4, and 6.

  6. Color Mixing:

    • Over time, observe how the colors mix in cups 2, 4, and 6 where the water from cups 1, 3, and 5 is walking into.

Explanation:

  • The Rainbow Walking Water experiment demonstrates capillary action, where water is drawn up into the paper towels due to adhesive and cohesive forces. As the colored water moves up the paper towel strips, it mixes with the water in the empty cups, creating a rainbow effect.

Extensions:

  1. Change the Colors: Experiment with different combinations of food coloring to create new color patterns and observe how they mix.

  2. Discuss Capillary Action: Explain to children how water molecules move up the paper towels against gravity due to capillary action, similar to how water moves up plant roots and stems.

  3. Measure and Record: Use a ruler to measure how far the colored water travels up the paper towels over time. Record your observations and compare results.

  4. Create Predictions: Have children hypothesize and predict what will happen if you change variables, such as using more or less water, or changing the angle of the paper towels.

  5. Art Integration: Encourage children to create artwork or diagrams of the experiment process, showing the movement of water and color mixing.

Safety Note:

  • Ensure children handle food coloring and water with care to avoid spills and stains. Supervise young children during the experiment, especially when handling cups and paper towels.

This experiment is not only visually captivating but also teaches children about scientific principles such as capillary action, color mixing, and observation skills in a fun and interactive way. 

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