In this lesson students will observe indirect evidence of the presence of air and learn the main properties of it. In doing the activity, discussions of pollution and ways to prevent it can be utilized as extension activities.
The students will observe indirect evidence of the presence of air and be able to describe the main properties of it.
Materials
Balloon, empty soda bottle or flask, a straw, paper, and a pencil
The Interactive Plasma Physics Education Experience
This interactive Internet site is provided by the Science Education Department of Princeton University's Plasma Physics Laboratory.
This website, from the University of Oregon, gives three experiments that can be performed dealing with the Ideal Gas Law.
Ask students "Can you see air?" No, but you can see what air can do, such as bend trees and blow dust around. Ask them if they think air takes up space?
What to do:
1. Push a deflated balloon into an empty soda bottle or flask and stretch the open end of the balloon back over the bottle's mouth. Try to blow up the balloon. What happens?
2. Remove the open end of the balloon from the bottle's mouth but keep the balloon in the bottle. Try to blow up the balloon now, what happen?
3. Insert a straw into the bottle between the balloon and the glass. Now, try to blow up the balloon in the bottle. What happens?
Even though you cannot see it, there is air inside the bottle. It takes up space therefore has volume. Point out that , while students cannot see the air in the bottle, they can see its effects on the balloon.
If there are not enough materials you can use this as a demo for the class and just have them record their observations in their journals or if you are going to have them turn in, then have them write it on their paper.
Duration: 20 minutes
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