Plastic Baggie and Balloon Piercing

Overview
Science content focus
Science literacy focus
Activity sequence
Resources and materials
Pedagogical ideas
Lessons and activities detail
Definitions

Overview

Explores the expansion of textual literacy to include all other forms of media.

Properties of matter - Attractive forces in matter - Adhesion and Cohesion

Science content focus

Attractive forces in matter - Adhesive force, acts to hold two separate bodies together (or to stick one body to another). Cohesive force, acts to hold together like or unlike atoms, ions, or molecules in a single body. However, both forces result from the same basic properties of matter. Properties such as, surface tension in liquids (cohesion), and capillary action (combination of adhesion and cohesion). Hardness of a diamond results from a strong cohesive forces between the carbon atoms of which it is made. Friction between two solid bodies depends in part upon adhesion.

Supporting ideas from unpacking the big idea

• cohesion;
• adhesion;
• attraction.

Science literacy focus

Use of evidence and reasoning to understand interactions in our world.

Supporting ideas from unpacking the big idea

• observations of pencil and plastic bag with water;
• feeling finger as it pushes through the plastic bag;
• point of pencil is sharp and would start a very small hole.
• Connection of these ideas into cause and effect sequence.

Activity sequence

• Plastic and pencil spearing
• balloon piercing.

Resources and materials

Plastic bag, water, pencil, balloon, pin, oil

Pedagogical ideas

Demonstration and questioning.

Definitions

• attraction
• cohesion
• adhesion

Lesson and activity details

Ask what will happen when you stick the pencil in the plastic bag.

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©