Fun with Air Pressure

Name:______Date______Block______Fun with Air Pressure Today in class we completed many activities that demonstrated the behavior of the gasses in our atmosphere. Complete the following based upon the activities in class today

1. Choose 1 demo and explain how that activity demonstrated that air has mass.

2. Choose 1 demo and explain how that activity demonstrated that air has volume.

3. Explain what air pressure is and choose 1 demo and explain how that activity demonstrated that air exerts pressure on other objects.

Read the following passage and answer the questions

Bernoulli's principle: The Swiss mathematician and physicist Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782) discovered the principle that bears his name while conducting experiments concerning fluids. Bernoulli was one of the first scientists to propose what is known as the kinetic theory of gases: that gas, like all matter, is composed of tiny molecules in constant motion. Bernoulli's principle, sometimes known as Bernoulli's equation, holds that for fluids in an ideal state, pressure and density are inversely related: in other words, a slow-moving fluid exerts more pressure than a fast-moving fluid. Since "fluid" in this context applies equally to liquids and gases, the principle has as many applications with regard to airflow as to the flow of liquids. One of the most dramatic everyday examples of Bernoulli's principle can be found in the airplane, which stays aloft due to pressure differences on the surface of its wing. Bernoulli’s principle helps explain that an aircraft can achieve lift because of the shape of its wings. They are shaped so that that air flows faster over the top of the wing and slower underneath. Fast moving air equals low air pressure while slow moving air equals high air pressure. The high air pressure underneath the wings will therefore push the aircraft up through the lower air pressure. When there is an imbalance of pressure, the air will move from areas of high pressure to low pressure in order to balance out the pressure difference. In the example above there is high pressure below the wing, which will try to move to the area of low pressure above the wing, allowing the plane to rise.

4. Restate Bernoulli’s principle in your own words.

5. Explain how Bernoulli’s principle applied to the soda can demo from today.

6. Think about all the demos done today, pick one and explain how Bernoulli’s principle applied to that demo.

Bonus: The NFL is currently dealing with a scandal (Deflategate) involving the air pressure of the game ball. The New England Patriots, who just won their way into the Super Bowl, are accused of reducing the pressure in the ball to make it easier for players to catch. The playoff game was played in Massachusetts, where it was extremely cold that day. Could the Patriots make the case that the cold air caused the pressure of the ball to be reduced? Support your answer with what you now know about air pressure. Name:______Date______Block______Air Pressure Demonstrations

1. At each station read the procedure for the demonstration. 2. Before completing the activity make a prediction as to what the out come will be. 3. Then perform the activity and record your observations.

Station # Predict what will happen Summarize what was observed Station # Predict what will happen Summarize what was observed