Water is a life-sustaining liquid found abundantly on Earth. It can dissolve many substances, but not everything- and sometimes it depends on the conditions. Substances that dissolve in water are called water-soluble. Let’s explore this with a simple observation experiment!
Experiment: Soluble vs Non-Soluble Substances
Recommended age: 5 years and above (adult supervision suggested)
Purpose: To observe which substances dissolve in water and which do not.
Materials & Methods:
- Small amounts of different substances (e.g., salt, sugar, oil, milk, vinegar, sand, rice, soil, flour)
- Water
- Transparent jar or glass
- Spoon for stirring
- Observation sheet
Steps:
- Add a small amount of each substance to a glass of water.
- Stir gently and watch carefully.
- Record your observations on the observation sheet.
Observation
- Note what happens to each substance.
- Does it disappear in water or stay the same?
- Draw, tick, or write what you see on the sheet.
Download Printable Observation Sheet below
Conclusion
Water can dissolve some substances but not all. By observing carefully, we learn to notice differences and ask questions. Some substances may partially dissolve, some dissolve quicker than others – showing that dissolving can happen in different ways.
More to ponder…
What do you think would happen if the water was warm or cold? Or if we stirred for a longer time? What if we use more or less of the substance- does it dissolve differently?.
The Public Health Mentor 
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