Water Works Anchor Chart Water Works
The Magic of the H₂O Molecule
Polarity
Water has a positive end and a negative end, just like a magnet!
O⁻
H⁺
H⁺
"The Universal Magnet"
Cohesion
Water molecules stick to each other . This creates surface tension!
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💧
💧
Example: Raindrops forming beads
Adhesion
Water sticks to other substances , like glass or plant stems.
Example: Water sticking to a window
Universal Solvent
Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid.
🌊
SUGAR
✨
Example: Salt dissolving in the ocean
Why does it matter?
Climate
Water regulates Earth's temp by absorbing heat.
Chemistry
Water's pH is critical for aquatic ecosystems.
Life
Water carries nutrients through our cells.
Penny Power Lab Worksheet Penny Power Lab
Investigating Surface Tension & Cohesion
Name:
Date:
The Challenge
How many drops of water can you fit on the surface of a single penny before it spills over?
Predict: How many drops of PLAIN water do you think will fit? Why?
Data Collection
Perform 3 trials for each type of water. Be sure to dry the penny completely between trials!
Test 1: Plain Water
Trial # of Drops 1 2 3 Average
Test 2: Soapy Water
Trial # of Drops 1 2 3 Average
Observations
Sketch the water "bubble" on the penny from a side view:
Penny Side View
What did you notice right before the water spilled?
Analysis
1. Which type of water (plain or soapy) allowed for more drops? Based on your results, what effect does soap have on water's surface tension?
2. Use the word COHESION to explain how the water was able to stay on the penny in a rounded shape.
3. Real World Connection: Based on what you learned about surface tension, how do you think some insects (like water striders) are able to "walk" on water?
Critical Thinking
Water is known as the "Universal Solvent" because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. How does this property make water important for biological processes, like moving nutrients through your bloodstream?
pH Power Lab Worksheet pH Power Lab
Investigating Acids, Bases, & The Solvent Secret
Name:
What is pH?
pH measures how acidic or basic a liquid is on a scale of 0 to 14. Pure water is neutral (7). Because water is the Universal Solvent , it easily picks up substances that change its pH!
0
7
14
Acidic Neutral Basic (Alkaline)
Lab Results
Substance Prediction (pH #) Color Change Actual pH Lemon Juice Tap Water Soapy Water Vinegar Baking Soda Sol.
1. Which substance was the most acidic? Which was the most basic?
2. How does water's role as the Universal Solvent explain why different substances have different pH levels when dissolved in water?
Biological Impact
Most living things, including humans and fish in the Chesapeake Bay, need water to stay very close to a neutral pH (7) to survive. Based on your lab, why might "acid rain" be a problem for a watershed?
H2O Hero Teacher Guide Blue Planet Blueprint
Teacher Guide: 3-Week Water & Watersheds Unit
Grades 5-8
Unit Mission
This unit guides students through an investigation of water's unique physical properties (SOL 6.6), its role in biological and chemical processes (BIO.2, ES.8), and the systems of Virginia's watersheds (SOL 6.8). Over 3 weeks, students explore how molecular traits impact global health.
Pacing
W1: Properties & Penny LabW2: pH & Solvent ChemistryW3: Watersheds & Bay Health
Week 1: Property Powerhouse
Focus: Cohesion, Adhesion, & Solubility
Introduce polarity and surface tension. Use the "Penny Power" lab to visualize cohesive forces.
The Penny Lab Activity
Concepts: Surface tension, cohesion, and surfactants (soap).Key takeaway: Water's "stickiness" is due to its polar nature.
Standards Alignment
Week 2: Chemistry of Life
Focus: pH & The Universal Solvent
Explore how water's ability to dissolve substances leads to changes in pH, which is critical for biological life and health.
pH Power Lab
Materials: pH strips, lemon juice, vinegar, water, baking soda solution, soap.Concept: Acids vs. Bases. Why aquatic life needs neutral water.Discussion: Impact of "Acid Rain" on local Virginia ecosystems.
Standards Alignment
• SOL 6.6a (Solvent)
• BIO.2a (Life Chem)
• ES.8c (Quality)
Week 3: Watershed Watch
Focus: Watershed Systems
Transition to macro-scale. Land use and pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Key Discussion
Definitions: Watershed, Estuary (The Bay).Human Impact: Runoff, agriculture, and public health (SOL 6.6f).
Standards Alignment
• SOL 6.8a, b, c, d
• ES.8d (Tributaries)
Assessment Plan
Penny Lab & pH Lab data analysis.
"Water & Watersheds Quiz" covering properties, pH basics, and systems.
Differentiation
Water & Watersheds Quiz Water & Watersheds Quiz
Unit Assessment: Properties, pH, & Systems
Name:
Part 1: Properties & Chemistry
1. Water is often called the Universal Solvent because it:
Can dissolve more substances than any other liquid
Floats when it freezes into a solid
Always stays at the same temperature
Is found on every planet in the solar system
2. When water molecules "stick" to other surfaces (like a spider web), it is called:
Cohesion
Adhesion
Polarity
Solubility
3. On the pH scale, a liquid with a pH of 3 is considered:
Highly Acidic
Neutral
Highly Basic
Frozen
4. Pure water has a pH of 7. Why is it important for the Chesapeake Bay to stay close to this neutral level?
So that the water doesn't evaporate too quickly
To allow fish and aquatic life to survive and thrive
To make the water salty enough for oysters
So that boats can float more easily
Part 2: Watershed Systems
5. What is a watershed?
A building where water is stored for drinking
The total amount of rain that falls in one year
An area of land that drains into a specific body of water
A pipe that carries waste water away from a city
6. The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary. What makes an estuary unique?
It is composed entirely of frozen fresh water
It is a place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean
It is only found in desert environments
It has no living organisms due to high pollution levels
7. How can pollution (like chemicals or litter) on a street in Richmond eventually affect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay?
8. Identify one way that water is important for Agriculture:
End of Quiz. Please double check your answers before turning in!
Master Solution Key Master Solution Key
Teacher Resource: Full Unit Answer Keys (pH Edition)
Answer Key
Penny Power Lab
1. Cohesion/Surface Tension: Cohesion keeps the water molecules together, forming a dome. Soap reduces surface tension.
2. Adhesion: Water sticking to the penny surface is adhesion; water sticking to itself is cohesion.
pH Power Lab
1. Most Acidic/Basic: Acidic (Lemon, Vinegar: pH 2-3); Basic (Baking Soda Solution, Soap: pH 8-10); Neutral (Tap Water: pH 7).
2. Universal Solvent Connection: Because water is the universal solvent, it dissolves minerals and molecules that release ions (H+ or OH-), which shifts the pH of the solution.
3. Acid Rain Impact: Acid rain can lower the pH of rivers and estuaries, which can kill sensitive species (like oysters or fish larvae) and disrupt the entire food chain.
Watershed Quiz
A (Universal Solvent)
B (Adhesion)
A (Highly Acidic)
B (Aquatic life survival)
C (Land draining to body of water)
B (Fresh/Salt mix)
7. Pollution Path: Rainwater carries pollutants into storm drains, then into local creeks, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
8. Agriculture: Irrigation for crops, drinking water for livestock, and processing food products.
