Measure a molecule

In this activity, students create a single layer of detergent molecules on water and use measurements and calculations to determine the length of the molecules.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• briefly explain the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of a detergent molecule
• explain how to get a single layer of detergent molecules on a water surface
• use simple measurements and mathematical equations to calculate the length of a detergent molecule.

Download the Word file for:

• introduction/background notes
• what you need
• what to do
• student handout.