For this experiment we are going to pour water out of one container and into another. That probably sounds like something you do every day. But this time there will be a twist!

The two containers will be a foot apart and we will use a little science “magic” to pour the water.

Pouring Water into a Glass

Use Science “Magic” to Pour Water Down a String

Supplies Needed

Empty measuring cup (preferably one with a handle as well as a spout)
A piece of yarn / string (approximately 2 feet in length)
Water (enough to fill your measuring cup)
Empty glass cup

Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Tie one end of the yarn / string to the handle of the measuring cup.

Step 2 – Fill your measuring cup with water. Make sure it is almost filled to the top.

Step 3 (optional) – Add a few drops of food coloring to your water. This isn’t required, but does allow you to better observe the experiment and watch the water.

Step 4 – Take the yarn / string and place into the water. Make sure it is completely submerged and is very wet.

Step 5 – Take the end of the wet yarn / string that isn’t tied to the measuring cup and place it into the empty cup.

Step 6 – Slowly lift the measuring cup into the air, enough to where the yarn / string is tight. Note: be sure to hold the loose end of the yarn so that the yarn / string is tight.

Step 7 – Slowly pour the water and watch as the water moves down the string into the empty glass.

How Does the Experiment Work?

You are able to pour water down a string because water is both cohesive and adhesive.

Cohesion – the sticking together of particles of the same substance.
Adhesion – the action or process of adhering to a surface or object.

Because water has a strong cohesive property, it means water droplets will stick to one another. In addition, because water has a strong adhesive property, it means that it will stick to other things.

During step four of the experiment, the string is submerged in the water. When the string is removed from the water it is wet. This is because the water adheres (or sticks) to the string. This is adhesion.

On step seven of the experiment, the water being poured out of the glass will cling to the water that is attached to the string (this is cohesion) and will move down the string into the empty glass.

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here’s some printable instructions

Why Does the Water Pour Down the String Science Experiment

Materials

Empty measuring cup (preferably one with a handle as well as a spot)
A piece of yarn / string (approximately 2 feet in length)
Water (enough to fill your measuring cup
Empty glass cup

Instructions

Tie one end of the yarn / string to the handle of the measuring cup.
Fill your measuring cup with water. Make sure it is almost filled to the top.
Add a few drops of food coloring to your water. This isn’t required, but does allow you to better observe the experiment and watch the water.
Take the yarn / string and place into the water. Make sure it is completely submerged and is very wet.
Take the end of the wet yarn / string that isn’t tied to the measuring cup and place it into the empty cup.
Slowly lift the measuring cup into the air, enough to where the yarn / string is tight. Note: be sure to hold the loose end of the yarn so that the yarn / string is tight.
Slowly pour the water and watch as the water moves down the string into the empty glass.