Soluble, Insoluble, Absorb, Hydrate, Dehydrate
Things that dissolve in water are said to be soluble. Things that do not dissolve in water are said to be insoluble.
Some things absorb water, such as paper towels and bath towels, they could be said to be hydrated. Dehydrated means to lose the absorbed water.
What Happens When Gummi Bears Are Placed In Water?
The process of one substance taking in another, such as a paper towel soaking up colored water, is called absorption. The video shows changes when a Gummi Bear absorbs water.
Discover for Yourself
Problem: What effect does water have on the size of a candy Gummi Bear?
Variables:
Independent Variable: Water
Dependent Variable: Size of Gummi Bear
Objective: To determine if placing a candy Gummi Bear in water affects the size of the candy.
Hypothesis: What is your prediction? From your experiences with adding substances to water, what do you think will happen to the Gummi Bear?
Example Hypotheses:
If the candy Gummi Bear is soluble in water, it will get smaller.
If the candy Gummi Bear is not soluble in water, its size will not change.
1. Fill a transparent plastic cup about three-fourths full with cold tap water.
2. Place one Gummi Bear in the cup of water. (If this is for a science fair experiment, you need to have four or more cups of water with one Gummi Bear in each. Use the same color and size.)
3. Place a Gummy Bear in an empty transparent plastic cup. This will be the experimental control, meaning that it will be the standard the experimental results will be compared to.
4. Set the cups where they will be undisturbed, but in view. You want the cups to be under the same conditions: temperature, light, humidity, etc…
Results: Observe the candy bears every hour for 9 if possible. Make note of any changes in the candy bears, such as color, size, or shape. (See Science Challenges: Graphing Results if you are doing a science fair project.)
Science Challenges:
A. Graphing Results
1. Graph the changes in the Gummi Bear’s size. Place a dry Gummi Bear on graph paper and mark off the smallest box that the bear can fit in.
2. Place the Gummi Bear in water. At the end of one hour, remove the Gummi Bear from the water, place it on graph paper and as before mark off the smallest box that the Bear can fit it. Repeat this every hour for 6 or more hours.
3. Use a bar graph to compare the changes in the sizes of the boxes need for the Gummi Bear as it absorbs water.
Data Analysis: Compare the boxes and determine how the Gummi Bear’s volume changes. Does the Gummi Bear expand evenly?
B. Dehydration is the opposite of absorption. dehydrate means to lose water. If the bloated Gummi Bear is placed in a cup without water, will it dehydrate and return to its original size and shape?
CAUTION: Materials used in a science investigation should not be eaten unless it is specifically a part of the investigation. For this experiment, the Gummi Bears used in the experiment should be discarded in the trash.
The book is designed to help young students catch the “science bug”
Teaching the Fun of Science to Young Learners
The book’s 75 lessons and reproducible activities touch on all areas of science and provide the key to a world of science magic and mystery. While kids will have fun doing the activities and learning to love science, they are also being encouraged to develop other skills, including reading, writing, math, and art.
(Paid Link)