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Lesson 5:

Subject:   Force of Air - Does air do work ?

Objective: The learner will be able to describe work that air can do.

Time: Approximately 45 minutes for 3-4 days.


Whole group and Teacher demonstration

Materials:

Chart paper

Markers

Scissors

Balloon (Must be round and fairly elastic)

Ping pong channel

Thick cardboard tube or PVC pipe (1 1/2 inch diameter, 6-12 inches long)

Rubber Band

Science Lab Observation Form (SLOF)

KWL form

Teacher Preparation (Cardboard tube demo 1)

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

2. Build the apparatus to rest the tube on. (See Cardboard Tube Drawing)

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.

4. Practice this demonstration ahead of time to perfect the outcome.(Air moves through the tube and balloon will bulge slightly to show force of air on balloon.)

Teacher Preparation (Ping pong channel demo 2)

1. Contact wood shop and ask them to make you a wooden channel and wooden box. (See PING PONG CHANNEL DRAWINGS)

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. Use KWL form and ask, "How air works for us." (May have closure now if time is a factor.)

2. Explain demo 1 and allow students to fill out prediction section on Science Lab Observation Form.

3. Do demo 1.

4. Students will write observations on Science Lab Observation Form.

5. Discuss students' observations.

6. Have students fill in the evaluation section on Science Lab Observation Form. (May have closure now if time is a factor.)

7. Explain demo 2 and allow students to fill out prediction section on Science Lab Observation Form.

8. Do demo 2.

9. Students will write observations on Science Lab Observation Form.

10. Discuss students' observations. (Introduce the term "Force" in order to explain what pushes the ball.).

11. Have students fill in the evaluation section on Science Lab Observation Form. (May have closure now if time is a factor.)

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.

Evaluation: The students will have appropriate responses for the assignment.


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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