Brownian motion - watching molecule movement

Summary:

Using a transmission microscope, watch molecules bump into tiny fat droplets in milk, to observe the motion of molecules.

Science content (2016 curriculum):

Chemistry: States of Matter, Properties of Materials (K-7)

Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules (3-7)

Chemistry: Physical Changes, Solutions, Mixtures and Separating (2, 4, 5, 6)

Lessons activity is in:

Mixtures with a focus on colloids

Properties of materials: density, stickiness, elasticity, foaming

Materials:

transmission microscope to view at 100X and 400X
slides and coverslips
2% milk

Procedure:

Make a slide with a drop of 2% milk, and place under the microscope.
Wait until the milk has stopped streaming around the slide, and the individiual fat droplets in the milk stay within the field of view.
Look closely for the fat droplets jiggling around - caused by water molecules bumping into them!
Brownian motion was the first convincing evidence that atoms and molecules existed.

Grades taught:

Gr 5

Teacher:

Lynn Gonzalez

Teaching site:

Dorothy Lynas Elementary

ingridscience afterschool

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