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Lesson 7:

Subject: Air can do work.

Objective: Students can replicate the teacher demonstrations by changing the variables and predicting the outcomes.

Time: Approximately 3-5 days. 45 minutes per day.

Stations

Materials:

Chart paper

Markers

Balloon (Must be round and fairly elastic)

Ping pong channel

Thick cardboard tube or PVC tube

Rubber Band

Science Lab Observation Form

KWL form

1 apparatus per station to rest the tube on. (See Cardboard Tube drawing)

Student Preparation (Cardboard tube activity 1)

1. Cut tip of balloon off and place balloon flatly (but not stretched) over the end of the cardboard/PVC tube, attach with a wide rubber band.

Directions:

1. Place the tube on the apparatus.

2. Firmly hold the tube on the apparatus.

3. With free hand, forcefully hit the open end of the tube making a perfect seal with the palm of your hand.

Teacher Preparation (Ping pong channel activity 2)

1. Contact wood shop and ask them to make you a wooden channel and wooden box. (See attached drawing)

Directions:

1. Set up apparatus according to directions. (See attached drawing)

2. Place ping pong ball at the beginning of the channel.

3. Blow up balloon using human lungs.

4. Place the balloon inside the moveable balloon stabilizer, release the neck of the balloon that was being compressed between the index finger and the thumb.

5. Observe the effect of the air on the ping pong ball.

Procedure:

1. KWL about how air works for us.(May have closure now if time is a factor.)

2. Students will fill out prediction section on Science Lab Observation Form.

3. Do activity 1 using each of the variables set up at each station.

4. Students write observations on Science Lab Observation Form.

5. Students fill in the evaluation section on Science Lab Observation Form.

6. Students will fill out prediction section on Science Lab Observation Form.

7. Do activity 2.

8. Students write observations on Science Lab Observation Form.

9. Have students fill in the evaluation section on Science Lab Observation Form.

Evaluation: The students will have appropriate responses for the Science Lab Observation Form.

Assignment: Write three ways you see air work. This assignment is due the next school day to be able to graph all the group data. Your group is counting on you. * *

** Only do this activity with this lesson if you did not do lesson 5. If lesson 5 was not done follow this lesson with lesson #6.

# Possible variables: Change the angle of the inclined plane, size and shape of the balloon, amount of air in balloon, replace balloon with hair dryer and or fan on slow speed, replace ping pong ball with marble, golf ball and rock. Second activity variables: Change the length and diameter of the tube, thickness of the balloon and type of tube used.


Related Pages:
Is Air Something? Index
Aeronautics Activities
Aerospace Activities Page
Forces - Newton's Laws
Aerodynamics Index

 

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Editor: Tom Benson
NASA Official: Tom Benson
Last Updated: May 13 2021

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