Thursday, February 18, 2010

The polarity of water

How can the jumbling of water molecules result in so many being tossed out of water and into the air?  Ya know, this is how water evaporates.

 But to consider that heating of the air and water by the sun causes the molecules to accelerate so violently as to cast so many into he air, is hard to comprehend.

With that philosophy, there would have to be an exhorbitant number of molecules cast out by violent shaking.  Kinda hard to accept that thought.  My students became aware there are other forces at work, here. 

Okay, here's where polarity steps in.  Each molecule possesses an electrical charge - sorta like a magnet.  When one molecule is bounced outta water, it clings on to another molecule that also gets bounced out.  A chain of molecules are pulled from the water to explain why during condensation molecules form clouds that weigh thousands of pounds.

To demonstrate, I had one class hold hands in a string, held together through this electrical bond.  I left the classroom holding the arm of one student, who held the hand of another with her other hand, and that chain continued until quite a few kids were led from the room before the chain broke.

Cool, eh?  My kids are ready for Joe Snedecker's wham cam.

Have a great night, folks.

No comments: