Science Week 2013
Let’s investigate: Capillary
action of water
in plants
Have you ever heard someone say, "That
plant is thirsty," or "Give that plant a
drink of water."? We know that all plants
need water to survive, even cut flowers
and plants living in deserts. But have you
ever thought about how water climbs up
the plants?
Vocabulary "
Botany: The study of
plants"
Dyed water: Coloured
water"
Level: Distance from the
ground"
Vase: Container to store
food"
Tissue paper: Thin and
soft paper"
Teaspoon: A small spoon"
Aim: The aim of the investigation is to find out
how water moves from the roots to the leaves of
plants."
"
Materials: Some water, 2 glasses or vases, a teaspoon, some tissue paper,
some food colouring, a ball pen and this worksheet."
"
Hypothesis: What do you think? Tell your classmates."
"
Method: Pour water into a vase or glass. Add some food colouring to the water
in the vase. Stir with a teaspoon until the colouring has fully dissolved in the
water. Leave the other vase empty. Twist the tissue paper and put one end in
the vase filled with water and the other end in the empty vase. Wait for a while
and see what happens."
"
Record:!
Time spent
Observations
Sticky: Adhesive"
Time-lapse video: A
video that records very
slow changes.
Conclusion:!
How does capillary action helps plants to absorb water?"
"
Time-lapse video:
What happens to a plant
when you forget to
water it? What does the
plant look like when it is
“thirsty"? Water it and
see…
Capillary action occurs because water is sticky."
Capillary action causes the water to "climb" up the tissue paper."
Capillary action causes the water to "climb" up the plant stem."
Capillary action is important for moving water around."
Capillary action is very useful:"
• We use a paper towel when you spill a glass of water to wipe it out."
• Plants and trees live thanks to capillary action.