The Gummy Bear Osmosis experiment is a simple and engaging way to demonstrate the concept of osmosis, which is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
Materials:
- Gummy bears (different colors if possible)
- Water
- Salt
- Clear cups or containers
- Tablespoon
- Timer or clock
- Paper and pen for recording observations
Procedure:
- Place a few gummy bears in each cup. Make sure to use the same number of gummy bears in each cup.
- Fill each cup with water, ensuring that the gummy bears are completely submerged.
- Before starting the experiment, record the size, color and texture of each gummy bear. This will be your baseline for comparison.
- In one cup, add about one tablespoon of salt to the water and stir until the salt dissolves.
- Place one cup with plain water and one cup with saltwater in a location where they won't be disturbed.
- Set a timer for a few hours or overnight. Observe and record any changes in the gummy bears.
- Compare the gummy bears in the plain water with those in the saltwater. Note any differences in size, color, or texture.
Explanation:
Gummy bears are made of gelatin, which is a polymer that can absorb water. In the plain water cup, you observe the gummy bears swelling as they absorb water through osmosis. In the saltwater cup, the concentration of solutes is higher outside the gummy bears, causing them to lose water through osmosis and shrink.
Tips:
- Use a variety of gummy bear colors to make observations more interesting.
- Discuss the concept of osmosis with children, explaining how water moves across membranes from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration.
This experiment provides a visual and hands-on way for children to understand the biological process of osmosis while having fun with gummy bears.
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