In a collection of different liquids, we should pay special attention to the way the liquids feel. This includes the way the liquid has to be removed from our fingers.

For example, alcohol dries very fast, and doesn't really need to be wiped. Oil seems as though it would stay there forever if it weren't wiped, and grease (like bacon drippings) often needs to be "cut" with soap in order to get it off our fingers. Syrup or molasses, being sticky, usually needs a bit of soap and water before it comes off our fingers.

Make a list of words that describe the way the liquids feel.

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HOW DO LIQUIDS TASTE

Here we have an assortment of liquids in labeled jars, and small plastic spoons. This experiment tells us to taste the different liquids, and pay attention to the flavors and to the way the different liquids feel in our mouths. (WE NEVER TASTE ANYTHING IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.)

Some of the liquids we have for tasting are water, sugar water, salt water, lemon juice, karo syrup, cooking oil, and mineral water. While we taste mineral water, we can pretend to be yuppies!

(If any students have diabetes or hypoglycemia, they should not taste the syrup or the sugar water.)

Make a list of words that describe the tastes and feelings imparted by each liquid.

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HOW DO LIQUIDS AFFECT COLORS?

We have some paper that is used to make certain kinds of chemical tests. It is called "litmus paper." Some of it is blue, and some is red. These papers are used to test the
acidity or alkalinity of substances.

Put a few drops of water, orange juice, lemon juice, vinegar, and bleach onto the blue litmus paper and see what happens.

Make a list of the liquids that change the color of the paper, and to what colors they are changed.

Now, put a few drops of water, liquid soap, and tonic water onto the red litmus paper and see what happens.

Now, test the acidic liquids (the first group) on the red litmus paper, and test the second group (alkaline) on the blue paper.

Test any other liquids you have available, and make a list of the test results.

Why do the liquids change the colors of the papers? Can you think of any use for this kind of information? The water in swimming pools is tested in this manner. The water in aquaria also must be tested to make sure the condition is correct for the health of the fish.