Children's Museum of Houston

Introduction

Materials

• Paintbrush
• Two Empty Plastic Soda Bottles (same size)
• Duct Tape
• Water
• Food Coloring or Glitter (optional)

Procedure

1. Fill one bottle ¾ full of water.
2. Add food coloring or glitter if desired.
3. Tape the empty bottle to the top of the other bottle. Line the spouts up and tape securely.
4. Turn the bottles over so that the one with water is on top. Place your hands at the top of the bottle and gently, but quickly, rotate the bottles in tight circles. (Don’t shake it up and down - just swirl.)
5. Set the bottles back on the table and watch.

Questions to Ask

• What do you see? Does the water empty easily into the other bottle?
• What is happening to the water inside the bottles?
• What happens if you turn the bottles in the other direction?
• Can you describe the way the water moves? Use words and phrases like, “straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.” Can you demonstrate these motions with your hands?
• What does this experiment remind you of in the real world? What scientist would need to understand this science concept? Why?
• When you added glitter to the water, did you change the water’s physical property? Why or why not?
• How could you communicate observations with your peers?
• How could you record your observations?