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Water Properties Investigation

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Water Properties Investigation

On a road trip, Keira and Tane stop at a clean picnic area to investigate a sample of tap water. Use the safe tests and results below to describe its properties. Do not taste any laboratory sample. Record observations, then use evidence to support your conclusions.

Safe tests and results

Keira and Tane used a clean, clear cup. They looked at the water against a white card, gently wafted air towards their noses, poured it into a shallow dish, and measured its temperature. They did not taste it. They repeated the pouring test with a spoonful of cooking oil for comparison.

Test

What they observed

Look through the water

The card behind it was easy to see; the water had no visible colour.

Waft air towards the nose

No noticeable smell.

Pour into a shallow dish

The water flowed and spread out to fit the dish. The oil also flowed, but stayed in a rounded pool.

Measure temperature

The water was 18°C.

Think like a scientist

Use the scenario and observation record as evidence. Remember: a sample that looks clear is not automatically safe to drink.

1.Which option best describes the water's appearance in the test? Choose one.

Coloured and opaque
Colourless and clear
White and cloudy
Blue and transparent

2.True or false: The observations show that the water was safe to drink.

3.Complete the sentence using the observation record: At 18°C, the water was a that and spread out to fit its container.

4.Keira says, “Oil and water are both liquids, so they must behave exactly the same.” Use the pouring observations to explain why this claim is not fully supported.

5.Which method is the safest way to investigate whether an unknown water sample has a smell?

Put your nose into the cup and inhale deeply
Taste a small amount
Gently waft air from above the sample towards your nose
Heat it until it steams, then smell it

6.The water measured 18°C. Explain what this number tells the investigators, and name one thing it does not tell them.

7.The blue-coloured comparison sample is still transparent: an object can be seen through it. Is it colourless? Explain the difference between being colourless and being transparent.

8.Tane wants to test whether water takes the shape of its container. Write a fair-test plan with the equipment or containers he should use, what he should keep the same, and what he should observe.

9.Write a two-sentence conclusion for Keira and Tane. Include two properties supported by their results and one limitation of their investigation.