The Amazing Absorption Adventure!

Science Grades 2nd Grade 4:51 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about absorption with a fun sponge experiment! Discover how sponges soak up water and why.

Video Resource

Absorption Experiment | Science Experiment -42 | Easy Chemistry Experiments

Pebbles Kids Learning

Duration: 4:51
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Absorption
  • Pores/Air Spaces
  • Properties of Materials

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define absorption and explain how it works.
  • Students will be able to identify the properties of a sponge that allow it to absorb water.
  • Students will be able to conduct a simple experiment demonstrating absorption.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what a duster is and what it is made of. Show a sponge and ask if they've ever put one in water. Discuss what happens. Introduce the experiment they will be conducting.
  • Experiment (15 mins)
    1. Gather materials: sponge, clear container, water. 2. Pour water into the container. 3. Have students observe the water level. 4. Place the dry sponge into the water, ensuring it's fully submerged. 5. Have students observe what happens to the water level. 6. Remove the sponge and gently squeeze it to observe the water coming out. 7. Repeat the experiment with a damp sponge and observe if it absorbes more or less water.
  • Explanation (10 mins)
    Explain that the sponge has tiny holes (pores or air spaces) that trap the water. Relate this to why sponges are used for cleaning. Explain the difference between a wet and dry sponge.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts and answer any questions students may have.

Interactive Exercises

  • Absorption Scavenger Hunt
    Have students look around the classroom or at home for objects that absorb water and objects that don't. Discuss their findings.

Discussion Questions

  • What other things do you think can absorb water?
  • Why do we use sponges to clean things?
  • What would happen if the sponge didn't have any holes?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Scientific Inquiry

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does it mean to absorb?

Correct Answer: To soak up

Question 2:

What is a sponge mostly made of?

Correct Answer: Loose fibers with holes

Question 3:

What is inside the holes of a sponge?

Correct Answer: Air

Question 4:

Where does the water go when a sponge absorbs it?

Correct Answer: Into the holes of the sponge

Question 5:

If you squeeze a wet sponge, what comes out?

Correct Answer: Water

Question 6:

Which sponge absorbs water better?

Correct Answer: A wet sponge

Question 7:

Why does a sponge get heavier when it is wet?

Correct Answer: Because the water adds weight

Question 8:

What shape was the sponge in the video?

Correct Answer: Cuboid

Question 9:

What do we call the tiny spaces in the sponge that hold water?

Correct Answer: Air spaces or pores

Question 10:

Why is the cohesive property of water important for absorption?

Correct Answer: Water molecules like to stick together

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

When a sponge soaks up water, it is called ___________.

Correct Answer: absorption

Question 2:

Sponges have tiny ___________ inside them that trap water.

Correct Answer: holes

Question 3:

The holes in a sponge are filled with ___________ when it is dry.

Correct Answer: air

Question 4:

If you squeeze a wet sponge, ___________ will come out.

Correct Answer: water

Question 5:

A ___________ sponge will absorb more water than a dry sponge.

Correct Answer: wet

Question 6:

When a sponge absorbs water, it gets ___________.

Correct Answer: heavier

Question 7:

Sponges are made of loose ___________.

Correct Answer: fibers

Question 8:

We use sponges for ___________ because they absorb water.

Correct Answer: cleaning

Question 9:

The video called the holes in the sponge ___________.

Correct Answer: air spaces

Question 10:

Water molecules like to stick together, which is called ___________ property.

Correct Answer: cohesive

Educational Standards

2.PS1.1:[Standard] Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties. 2.PS1.2:[Standard] Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for the intended purpose.* 2.ESS2.3:[Standard] Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.

Teaching Materials

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