Strand; Force and Energy
Sub strand; Upthrust cohesion and adhesion
In groups, teacher trainees to;
a) Deduce the meaning of up thrust as a type of force by;
Searching on line
Weighing objects in air in water.
b) Determine the factors that affect floating and sinking of objects by;
Carrying out activities to investigate the effect of shape, size and type of
material on floating and sinking. (search online)
Construct rafts or floaters using locally available materials.
Brainstorm and discuss on the following questions
i. When you swim in a pool, you feel lighter than when you walk on land.
Why do you think this happens?
ii. A stone sinks when you drop it in water, but a piece of wood floats. What
does this tell us about up thrust?
iii. Why is it easier to lift a bucket of water while it is inside the well than when
it is outside?
iv. Ships are made of heavy metal, yet they float on water. How does upthrust
make this possible?
v. A ball pushed under water comes up quickly when released. Which force is
responsible for this?
vi. Fishermen use canoes and boats that float on water. How does upthrust help
them?
vii. When you place a plastic bottle filled with air in water, it floats. What would
happen if you filled the bottle with sand? Why?
viii. Why do some people find it easier to float in salty sea water than in fresh
river water?
ix. A swimmer lies still on his back in water and does not sink. Which force
supports his body?
x. If you put a raw egg in salty water, it floats. But in fresh water, it sinks.
What does this show about the relationship between upthrust and the type of
liquid?
c) Distinguish the meaning of cohesion and adhesion as a type of force
Carry out activities to illustrate cohesion and adhesion as types of force.
Discuss the differences between adhesion and cohesion forces.
Discuss the applications of adhesion and cohesion forces in everyday life.
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Strand; Force and Energy
Sub strand; Upthrust cohesion and adhesion
Adhesion (water sticking to other surfaces)
I. Why does water stick to the walls of a glass when you tilt it?
II. When you dip your finger in water, why does water stick to it?
III. Why does rainwater stick to windows or leaves after a rainfall?
IV. Why does a piece of chalk become wet when you dip part of it in water?
V. Why does water rise slightly inside a narrow straw or tube.
Cohesion (water sticking to itself)
I. Why can small insects like water striders walk on the surface of water?
II. Why do drops of water on a leaf or a table form rounded beads instead of
spreading flat?
III. Why does water form raindrops instead of falling as a thin sheet from the
sky?
IV. When you carefully fill a glass of water to the brim, why does it form a
bulge above the rim without spilling immediately?
V. Why do drops of water join together to form bigger drops when close to
each other?
Combined Application (Adhesion + Cohesion)
I. Why does water climb up the stem of a plant through tiny tubes (capillarity)?
II. Why does a towel soak up water when it touches a wet surface?
III. Why do roots of plants absorb water from the soil?
Use digital devices and online resources to access animations and
illustrations on applications of up thrust, adhesion and cohesion forces
in day to day life.
d) How does up thrust affect objects?
e) Why are adhesion and cohesion important as a force?
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