Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1
It's always so fun when science has such a "wow!" factor that it seems like magic. This demonstration sure had us saying "Wow!"
Step 2
Even though we're familiar with air pressure and water, it's always fun to start something like this by filling up a glass, putting a piece of index card over the top, flipping it upside down and letting go of the paper. Tada! Always a big hit!
Step 3
But now we were moving on to the fancier stuff. First we had to play with the mesh. "Everything is green!"
Step 4
We put it over the jar, and fastened it on tight by wrapping a rubber band around it. Time to fill it up! Water flows in just fine! The mesh doesn't stop it at all. Hmmm...
Step 5
Next we put a piece of index card on the top of the 3/4 full jar.... and flipped it over! (Three quarters full worked best for us, but you might find that a fuller glass or jar works better for your shape.)
Step 6
Now it's time to sloooowly slide that index card off the bottom of the jar (unless you get lucky like we did a few times, and the index card just falls off!).... And would you look at that!?!
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Water molecules are attracted to the other water molecules --a force called cohesion--and so they form a membrane between the mesh fibers. That's some strong surface tension! But it sure seems like magic!