Hydrophobic dandelion clocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibvLKoQZpFI

hydrophobic dandelion experiment

Materials

clear cup or glass

dandelion clock (fluffy white pompom-like plant of a dandelion plant)

water

Hypothesis

My prediction of putting a dandelion clock into water is that the seeds will fall off and float in the water. Just handling it, the seeds are very prone to falling off.

Procedure

1. In March or April, go outside and collect white dandelions.

2. Fill a glass with water.

3. Dip a dandelion into the water gently.

4. Hold the dandelion underwater for a few seconds. Keep the dandelion still.

5. Carefully remove the dandelion from the water and observe.

6. Repeat if desired.

Results

Some of the seeds fell off and floated in the water, but the rest, which were more securely attached, stayed on the dandelion head. From pulling out the dandelion head from the water, some droplets clung to the seeds, but did not drench them.

Conclusion

Dandelion seeds are hydrophobic (water-resistant). This means it makes it more difficult for water to get between the seeds and separate them from the head. For example, if it rains, the plant's seeds will stay intact until a breeze comes and scatters them, instead of falling off in the rain and landing in one spot.

Join me in this seasonally appropriate experiment as we discover what happens when a dandelion clock gets wet. I found this experiment from a shared video on Dr. Dot's Facebook page. Why not follow ‪@dorothyaidulis‬  on YouTube? Or join her Online Science Club for more exciting science fun!! I also used Kelly's classroom online to get a more detailed run-through of the experiment.