More Physics for Little Scientists

Back in January I posted a physics experiment and promised to post more of these in the future (A Cool Science Experiment!). It's March now, and well into the future (oops!) so today I'm going to post more hands-on science for you to do with your children.

Although air is all around us, most of us never think about air pressure or air as having weight. As demonstrated in the first experiment (link above), air very definately has weight, so much so that it can hold an object down tightly. Now, try this next experiment, which I loved as a child - it was like magic!

Did you know air can hold something UP (even something heavy)?

Fill up a glass with water (to the brim). Place a piece of cardboard or tagboard on top of the glass. Hold the cardboard in place while turning the glass upside down over a sink or basin. Now, take your hand away from the cardboard. What happens? What did you think would happen?

Amazing! The water stays in the glass because the air pressure against the cardboard is greater than the weight of the water against the cardboard. The water will remain in the glass until the cardboard soaks through and collapses, allowing air to slip into the glass and the water to be released.

More surprises about air pressure

Place two books four or five inches apart on a table. Place a piece of paper on top of the books, covering the space between them. Blow through the space under the paper. What happens? What did you expect to happen?

Instead of the paper blowing up or off of the books, the paper sinks between the books! Why? To find out, try this:

Tie two balloons to strings and hang them a few inches apart. Now, blow between them. What happens? What did you expect to happen?

Instead of moving apart, the balloons move together! Both of these experiments demonstrate that moving air causes lower air pressure. The faster the air moves, the lower the air pressure drops. In fact, that's what allows airplanes to fly! The shape of an airplane's wing causes the air pressure above it to lessen as the airplane moves forward, allowing the plane to rise upward.

Speaking of airplanes, it is still so cold and snowy here in Idaho, (in spite of it being the last day of winter) wouldn't it be a nice idea to hop a plane to my little Vacation Home Orlando (if I had one) and lie on the beach, and maybe take the kids to Disney World. . .

. . . Okay, wake up! Snap out of it! (More fun experiments to come. I promise!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Have you or a loved one ever taken Vioxx (or Rofecoxib)? Patients taking Vioxx have twice the risk of heart attack or stroke, and nearly 2 million patients currently take this drug. You can learn more about the risks of taking Vioxx or a Vioxx class action. Get a free case evaluation.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two of my nephews went to culinary school, and (suprisingly) both of them loved it! Now they both have great culinary careers. With the global hospitality industry growing as it is, they were smart! Earning a Hotel Restaurant Management Degree can be a great way to train for an interesting and exciting leadership role in today's (and tomorrow's) global workplace.