DIY: The Siphon Effect | Tinkerer Box Blog

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The Siphon Effect

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Have you ever wondered if water could jump from one container to another by itself and distribute evenly between two containers? It looks like magic, but there's actually a super cool scientific principle behind it - the siphon effect!

Materials Needed

Glass filled with water
Empty glass
Food colouring
Drinking straw
Scissors
Ruler
Stirring stick

An overhead flatlay image displays various craft supplies arranged on a light wood grain surface. The items include two clear glasses (one empty, one with water), a small bottle of yellow liquid, a pair of scissors, a wooden craft stick, an orange plastic drinking straw, and a clear plastic ruler. This image depicts the materials needed for a craft project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Bend the straw and use scissors to cut it horizontally to 10cm lengths.

Two hands are shown cutting an orange plastic drinking straw with a pair of scissors. One hand holds the straw against a light wood grain surface while the other hand operates the scissors. The straw has a textured, ridged section near where it is being cut. This image shows the process of cutting a straw for a craft project.

Step 2

Add food colouring to the glass of water and stir well.

A hand squeezes a small, clear bottle containing yellow liquid into a glass of water. The yellow liquid is dispersing into the water, creating a cloudy, bright yellow effect. The glass sits on a light wood grain table against a plain off-white background. This image likely depicts food coloring or another dye being added to water.

Step 3

Place the empty glass next to the full glass, then fill the straw with water before removing it.

A hand places two segments of an orange drinking straw into a glass of bright yellow liquid. An empty clear glass sits beside it on a light wood grain surface. The background is a solid off-white. This image appears to be a step in a craft or science experiment.

Step 4

Cover both ends of the water-filled straw with your fingers, then place one end in each glass. Remove your fingers and watch the amazing siphon experiment in action!

Two clear glasses, partially filled with a bright yellow liquid, sit side-by-side on a wooden table. A flexible orange drinking straw is placed so that one end is submerged in the liquid of each glass. The video appears to be demonstrating a simple science experiment, possibly illustrating the principles of siphoning or capillary action.

The Science Behind It:

The siphon principle is a fascinating physical phenomenon that requires two conditions: first, the liquid level in one container must be higher than in the other, and second, there must be a tube connecting the two containers. During the process, liquid flows from high to low due to gravity, while the pressure difference in the tube helps maintain the flow until the liquid levels in both containers equalise. This process transfers liquid using natural forces - while it appears to "suck" the liquid, it's actually the result of atmospheric pressure and gravity working together.

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