Suitable For
Grade 7
Difficulty
1
Time Required
<24 Hours
Supervision
Advised
What’s it about?
In this science experiment, you will construct a device that measures water pressure at different depths in a body of water, and displays the results by means of a tube with coloured water. This depth gauge works in a similar manner as the complex ones used on ships:
Topics covered
Pressure
What will I need?
- LARGE BUCKET
- RUBBER TUBE
- PIECES OF WOOD
- TAP WATER
- FUNNEL
- BALLOON
- DRINKING STRAW
- CARDBOARD
- STICKY TAPE
- RUBBER CEMENT
- SCISSORS
- MEDICINE DROPPER
- RED COLOURING
- ELASTIC BAND
Procedure (Method)
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
How does it work?
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
When the funnel with the rubber diaphragm is pushed deeper under water, the weight of the water above it increases, pushing more forcefully against the diaphragm. As the diaphragm is pushed inward, it pushes against the air pressing down on the red coloured water in the drinking straw. As a result, the red coloured water is pushed upward in direct proportion to the depth that the diaphragm is pushed under water. You can draw equal divisions next to the straw and calibrate it using a tape measure to measure the actual depths first. You now have a fairly accurate depth gauge!
Like the sound of it?
Why not check out the full worksheet in one of our popular e-books?
This particular science project can be found in any of the following Experiland e-books:
Experiland e-books contain detailed steps, including illustrations, to complete the science projects from start to finish.
