Name:

Period: Date:

Tie-Dyed Milk

Introduction
Liquids like water and milk have a property known as surface tension, due to the cohesive
forces of the liquid's molecules. Look closely (you can use a magnifying glass) at the edge of the
surface of water in a clear glass. Do you notice how the very edge of the water appears to rise up
the side of the glass? That's because the surface tension of the water is actually pulling the water
away from the glass inward toward the center of the surface.

Safety
Do not drink the milk after you have put the food coloring and soap in it!

Supplies
A paper plate Liquid dish soap.
Milk Skim, 2%, Whole Q-tip
Food coloring

Directions
1. Pour a layer of milk in the dish about 1/2" (1 cm) deep.
2. Carefully put 1 to 2 drops of each of the four food colors on the milks surface.

3. Wet a Q-tip with the detergent.

4. Place detergent-coated Q-tip in the center of the plate and observe.

Observations
What happens to the food coloring when you first put it on the milk? Why do you think
that is?

Type: Observation:
Skim

2%

Whole

Explanation:
Name: Period: Date:

What happens when you add the drop of soap?

Type: Observation:
Skim

2%

Whole

Explanation:

What direction does the food color move after the experiment has been running for a
while? Does the movement go on forever? What happens? Explain your results.

Type: Observation:
Skim

2%

Whole

Explanation:

What happens if you add another drop of soap after the colors have stopped moving?
Explain.

Type: Observation:
Skim

2%

Whole

Explanation:
Name: Period: Date:

Follow Up
Would the same result be observed with water? Why or why not?

Is there only one macromolecule involved in the experiment? Explain your answer.