Suitable For
Grade 6
Difficulty
2
Time Required
<24 Hours
Supervision
Advised
What’s it about?
The ambient air around us or ‘atmospheric pressure’ pushes constantly on our bodies at a rate of about 1kg of pressure on every square centimetre of our skins! This seems quite a lot, but we do not notice this because this happens constantly and our bodies are used to it. In the following science experiment we will put the ambient air pressure to good use, to make a water fountain powered by the force of air pressure:
Topics covered
Pressure, Air pressure (Atmospheric pressure)
What will I need?
- 2x GLASS JARS
- DRINKING STRAWS
- THIN, PLASTIC TUBE
- BOWL
- STICKY TAPE
- TAP WATER
- TABLE
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.
In this science experiment the water from the closed jar pours down into the bowl through the plastic tube and as a result, the air pressure inside the jar is lowered. This happens because the air ‘spreads out’ to take up the space left by the water. The air pressure outside the jar is greater than the air trapped inside, and pushes down on the water in the open jar below. This forces the water up the straw and makes a fountain! (See diagram in e-book.)
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.
