Water is very important for life.
We drink it, cook with it, and play in it.
Water is all around us: in rivers, lakes, seas, and even in the air!
Some things about water
1. Drinking water
We need clean water to drink.
All water is not safe to drink.
Drinking water is usually purified.
2. Sea water
The water in the seas is salty.
You cannot drink sea water.
3. Rain and clouds
Water falls from the sky as rain.
Clouds are made of tiny drops of water.
4. Ice, water and steam
Water can be solid (ice), liquid (water) or gas (steam).
5. Save water
Clean water is a valuable resource.
Use it wisely.
Close the tap when you don't need water, for example when brushing your teeth.
Water cycle
Look at the picture.
Find a cloud, a water drop, a river and a lake.
Read more
- Water evaporates from seas or lakes.
- Water moves in clouds in the sky.
- Water rains down back to Earth.
- Water flows in rivers back to the sea.
We can study water
1. Watch how water flows in a river.
2. Collect rain and study it.
3. Freeze water into ice cubes and watch them melt.
Fun fact!
Did you know that 70% of Earth is covered in water?
Activities
4. Water and motion
Let's do an experiment.
You need:
- a bowl or a container
- water
- a floating object
- (blocks)
Step 1
Pour some water into the bowl.
A couple centimeters of water is enough.
Step 2
Put the floating object on top of the water.
Think and test
- How can you get the object to move in the water?
Try to find out different ways. - How can you get the object to move faster?
- Can you change the direction of movement?
- Can you get the object to be still on the water?
Results
- How many different ways to move the object did you find?
Answer
The object started moving when you
- pushed it,
- lifted or moved the container, or
- added or removed a block.
- You could also blow the object into motion.
Results
- How did you get the object to move faster?
Answer
If you pushed the object harder, it moved faster.
The same thing happened if you lifted the container more.
Results
- Can you change the direction of movement?
Answer
The direction can be changed if you push the object from the opposite direction.
You can also lift the other corner of the container.
If the object hit the wall of the container, it changed the direction.
Results
- Can you get the object to be still on the water?
Answer
If you did nothing and waited a little, the object became still.
5. Blooming flowers
Let's do an experiment.
You need:
- a bowl or a container
- water
- paper
- scissors
- pencils
Hypothesis
Before doing an experiment, scientists try to guess the result.
What happens if you put a folded piece of paper on top of water?
Discuss.
Step 1
Draw a flower on a piece of paper (or use a ready made model).
You can colour the flower if you want.
Step 2
Cut the flower out of the paper.
Step 3
Gently fold the petals of the flower into the centre.
Step 4
Add a little water to the container.
Step 5
Carefully place your flower on the surface of the water. Keep the folded side facing up.
Watch what happens.
Results
What happened to the folded flower?
Do you know why?
Answer
The folded flower opened and bloomed.
Water filled the little gaps in the paper.
Water pushed the folded paper straight.
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