Surface Tension - Water Down a String

 

 

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 Code Number :   2A20.50

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

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Condition :   Excellent   
Principle :   Surface tension of water pouring down a string.
Area of Study :  Heat & Fluids  
Equipment :   1000 ml beaker, large diameter string, 
Procedure :   Tape the string over the mouth of the beaker so that the string hangs down from the opposite edge.  Wet the string thoroughly. Put water in the beaker, and using the string as a guide for the water, pour it out into another glass or beaker.  The water can be poured quite fast and it will still follow the string.  NOTE: The string does not have to hang out from the beaker spout to make this work.   
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   References

Martin Gardner, "Water Down the String", TPT, Vol. 39, # 1, Jan. 2001, p. 36.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille