Make a Wire Critter That Can Walk on Water

Make a Wire Critter That Can Walk on Water

Grade Level

6 - 8

minutes

15 min - 1 hr

subject

Physical Science

If you’ve ever looked carefully at a full glass of water or a water droplet, you may have noticed that the water forms a thin, stretchy layer at its surface. This phenomenon is called surface tension. Surface tension is caused by the attraction, or cohesion, of individual molecules to one another in a liquid, especially when they are near repulsive air molecules. Lightweight objects, even ones that do not typically float, may be able to rest on the surface tension of a liquid. This happens when the weight of the object is distributed over a large area so that it doesn’t tear apart the cohesion between molecules. Some insects, such as water striders, are able to stand and travel on the surface of water because of surface tension and spend much of their lives gliding across ponds and streams.

Watch the Science Friday video “Stroke of the Water Strider” to learn about a robot that was inspired by insects’ ability to travel on the surface of water. Follow the directions below to make your own water-walking critter using thin wire, and then test its effectiveness by counting how many paper clips it can carry without sinking.

The Stroke of The Water Strider

 

Materials

Large bowl of cold water

Roll of thin, plastic-coated wire, about 30-guage
(available at most hobby and electronic stores, and online here or here)

Sharp scissors or wire cutters

Paper clips

Make a Wire Critter Procedure

Safety Considerations

Use common sense with scissors and pointy ends of wire. Water may splash in this experiment, so always walk in the laboratory and steer clear of electrical equipment and outlets.

Meet the Writer

About Ariel Zych

Ariel Zych is Science Friday’s director of audience. She is a former teacher and scientist who spends her free time making food, watching arthropods, and being outside.

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