Movement in water in Movements in Animals – Class 6 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Movements in Animals
Activity Name: Movement in water in Movements in Animals
Activity Description:
The experiment involves observing the movement of a paper boat in water when it is pushed with different orientations.
The boat is first pushed with the narrow end pointing forward (fig. a), and then it is pushed into the water from the broad side (fig. b). The objective is to determine in which process it is easier to move the boat.
Required Items:
- Paper
- Scissors (to cut the paper)
- Water
Step by Step Procedure:
- Take a sheet of paper and cut it into a rectangular shape.
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
- Fold one of the open ends of the paper diagonally to form a triangle.
- Fold the other open end of the paper diagonally to form a triangle of the same size as the first triangle.
- Open up the last two folds, so you have a narrow triangular shape in the middle and two wider triangles on the sides.
- Take the two wider triangles and fold them outwards to form the sides of the boat.
- Fold the bottom of the boat upward to create a flat surface.
- Gently push the boat into the water with the narrow end pointing forward (fig. a) and observe its movement.
- Take the boat out of the water and hold it sideways.
- Push the boat into the water from the broad side (fig. b) and observe its movement.
Experiment Observations:
- When the boat is pushed with the narrow end pointing forward (fig. a), it moves forward more easily.
- When the boat is pushed into the water from the broad side (fig. b), it moves with more difficulty and slower.
Precautions:
- Be careful while handling scissors to avoid any accidents or injuries.
- Make sure the boat is properly folded to maintain its shape during the experiment.
- Conduct the experiment in a controlled environment to ensure accurate observations.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
The experiment demonstrates the importance of the shape of an object in its movement through water. When the boat is pushed with the narrow end pointing forward, it moves more easily because its streamlined shape reduces water resistance.
On the other hand, when the boat is pushed into the water from the broad side, it encounters more water resistance, making it harder to move forward. This experiment highlights the significance of streamlined shapes in facilitating movement in water, as seen in the streamlined body of fish and other aquatic animals.
