Some Plant Science Projects and Experiments on Capillary Action
This page will show you some plant science projects and experiments to demonstrate
the process of capillary action. How do plants pull water and nutrients out of the soil
and move them through out the entire plant? The experiments on this page will show you
how they do it.
Capillary Action
Water molecules are attracted to each other. That is why water in a glass can be higher than
the edges of the glass. This is sometimes called surface tension.
When water molecules are more attracted to the surface they are against than themselves,
this is called capillary action. Plants have tiny tubes called capillaries that water moves through.
The molecules are attracted to that surface and move along it. They pull other water molecules
behind them in the process causing a flow.
Plant Science Projects Experiment #1
This experiment will show capillary action in a paper towel.
1. Fold a paper towel along its length until its about an inch wide. 2. Get two glasses and fill one two thirds with tap water. 3. Place the empty glass beside it and place one end of the folded towel
into the water and lap the other end down into the empty glass. 4. Watch as the water climbs up the towel and goes over into the empty
glass.
The water molecules are attracted to the fibers of the towel and move through it.
This is an example of capillary action.
Plant Science Projects Experiment #2
This experiment will show water movement up through a celery stalk.
1. Fill a glass half full of tap water. 2. Add 8-10 drops of red food coloring and mix. 3. Have an adult chop and inch off the end of a celery stalk. Using
a celery stalk with leaves will better show the capillary action. 4. Place the bottom end of the stalk in the colored water. 5. After 12-24 hours you should see red spots up the stalk. Also look
for red in the veins of the leaves.
The water and red coloring moved up the stalk to the leaves. The tiny tubes or capillaries
allowed the water to move through out the plant.
