Virtual Biology Lab: Gummy Bear Osmosis

Question / Purpose: How much does a gummy bear swell when being soaked in different kinds of water?

Lab Handout & Notebook

📝 Lab Notebook Reminder:
Make sure you have written your Hypothesis. As you complete each step, record all measurements in your notebook's Data Table!
DAY 1 PROCEDURE
  • 1. Cups A and B are labeled for you on the lab bench.
  • 2. Measure the mass of one gummy bear, place it in Cup A, and record the mass in your data table. Repeat with Cup B.
  • 3. Add 50 mL of tap water to Cup A.
  • 4. Add 50 mL of distilled water to Cup B.
DAY 2 PROCEDURE (After 24 Hours)
  • 1. Use a spoon or forceps to remove the gummy bear from Cup A.
  • 2. Use the scale to measure the mass of the gummy bear from Cup A. Record this in your data table.
  • 3. Repeat for Cup B and calculate ΔMass and % Change in Mass in your notebook.
Day 1, Step 2: Measure Initial Mass of Gummy Bear A
Click the button below to place the first gummy bear onto the scale's weigh boat.
Day 1
🌙 ⏰

Soaking Overnight (24 Hours)...

Water molecules are moving into the gummy bears across their selectively permeable gelatin matrix via osmosis!

0.00 g
Scale & Weigh Boat
Gummy Bears
50 30 10 Graduated Cylinder
Cup A Tap Water Cup A
TAP H2O Tap Water
Cup B DI Water Cup B
DI H2O DI Water

Notebook Calculation Reference

Change in Mass (ΔMass):
ΔMass = Final Mass − Initial Mass
Percent Change in Mass (%):
% Change = (ΔMass ÷ Initial Mass) × 100