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