Will Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension
Description: Scotchguard™ is sprayed on a piece of facial tissue and allowed to dry. Water is poured into the tissue, and the tissue holds the water. Water is poured onto another facial tissue that has not been treated, and the tissue breaks.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 vol: 3 page: 305
Keywords: Scotchguard™ , Facial tissue, Water, Hydrophobicity
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Gases under pressure
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- High reliability
- Systems contrast is noticeable
- Time to results is medium
- Primary effects are observed
Difficulty: Some
- Simple procedures
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Careful manipulations required
- Prior training recommended
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves recommended
- Absorbent material on hand
- Avoid exposure to gases or vapors
Class: Liquids and Solids, Intermolecular Forces, Thermodynamics
Division: General, Physical Chemistry, Material Science
Home| General Chemistry Demos| Physical Chemistry Demos| Material Science Demos