You have probably learned about gases while studying states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) numerous times throughout your schooling. Now is your chance to apply what you have learned as you play with air pressure...and learn some important concepts, of course!
Choose one or more of the experiments below to start learning! If you need to review the properties of gases or learn what air pressure is, start with with the resources in the "Gases & Air Pressure - An overview" section.
Gases & Air Pressure - An overview
Use these resources as review (if needed) before starting your experiments.
#1. Is an Empty Bottle really empty?
How easy do you think it is to blow a small crumpled up piece of paper into an empty bottle? Let's try it and find out! Follow the instructions provided in the video and then use the "How Empty is an Empty Bottle?" link to learn more about the experiment. When you are finished, make sure you can answer the following questions.
1. Why was it more difficult blow the paper ball into the bottle than it was with a paper towel tube?
2. What is air pressure, and how does it play a role in this experiment?
3. What can you change to make the ball roll into the bottle easier? Consider the material you used to make the ball, the size of the bottle, the size of the mouth (opening) of the bottle, or if you can direct the air through a straw. Make sure you only change one thing at a time though!
#2. Can Crusher
How difficult is it to crush an empty can? What if I told you that you couldn't use your muscles, you could only use air? Would your answer change? Follow the instructions provided in the video to crush a can with just air and then use the "Imploding Tank Car" link to learn more about how the Mythbusters tested this same principle on a much larger scale. When you are finished, make sure you can answer the following questions.
1. Why did you need to heat the can up before putting it in cold water?
2. Why did the can implode on itself?
3. Does the amount of water in the can affect the speed or how much of the the can is crushed?
#3. Homemade Water Fountain
Did you know you could make your own water fountain using just household materials? Watch the video below for instructions on how to make your own water fountain. You will also learn how it works. When you are finished with the video, make sure you can answer the following questions.
1. How does the fountain work? Make sure you answer references air pressure and includes both a written description and a labeled diagram.
2. How can you make it so the fountain shoots water farther?
3. How can you make it so the fountain sprays water for longer?
#4. Rising Water
How can you use physics to create a "magic trick"? Watch the video below for instructions on how to make water rise into a glass. You will also learn how it works. When you are finished with the video, make sure you can answer the following questions.
1. What happens to the air pressure inside the glass before the water starts to rise? Why?
2. Why does the water start to rise in the glass? Make sure your answer references air pressure.
3. Why doesn't the water just keep rising until the glass is full?
#5. Balloon in a Bottle Challenge
How is it possible to get a water balloon into an empty bottle if it won't fit through the mouth of the bottle? Can you just fill it up while the balloon is in the bottle? Let's find out! Watch the video below for instructions on how to complete this challenge. You will also learn how it works, but the "Balloon in a Bottle" link below the video will provide a more detailed explanation. When you are finished with the video, make sure you can answer the following questions.
1. Why can't you blow up a balloon in an empty bottle?
2. How can you get a balloon in a bottle? Make sure your answer references air pressure.
3. Why does the balloon stay inflated while the hole is covered?
Once you have completed the challenge and understand how it works, it might be fun to see if your friends/family can figure it out. You can even play a trick on them as shown in the video.
Bonus Resources
Use the following resources to learn more about air pressure!