How Does Air Pressure Work?
We learned about air pressure this week, and the boys did an experiment with a cup of water and two straws to demonstrate how air pressure works.
The idea is to see how air pressure works to lift a bird’s wing into the air.
The boys started out with glasses filled to the rim with water, a straw cut to 1/2 inch above the rim placed in the glass, and another straw held at an angle and aimed at the top of the straw in the glass.
They had to blow through one straw to move the air over the top of the other straw, which decreased the air pressure above the straw in the water.
Then the fun began, as the straw in the water became a spout, and water spewed everywhere.
(The most fun part was watching their faces crinkle up.)
What You Need
- Clear glass or jar
- Water
- 2 drinking straws
- Scissors
- Paper towel
Helpful Hints
Set the glass on a paper towel before filling it all the way with water. Then, add more water from a pitcher or measuring cup until the water is level with the top of the glass. The towel underneath will help catch the spillage.
Don’t forget to record your findings in your nature journal or science notebook!
What an interesting way to do that. I hadn’t thought to show air pressure that way.
Thanks for linking up to Science Sunday.