Air Pressure
Objectives:
- List three characteristics of a high pressure system.
- List three characteristics of a low pressure system.
- Contrast high and low pressure systems.
- Explain why the pressure decreases with height.
Understanding Air Pressure
The first thing we need to understand is that air has weight. Air pressure is the weight of all the atmosphere above us pressing down on us. This is a lot of weight - about 15 pounds per square inch! Watch the following videos to see how powerful this pressure can be: Air Pressure Basics - With an Egg Air Pressure Basics - With Water Balloons Air Pressure Basics - With Bill Nye |
Now, read more about air pressure at the Tree House Weather for Kids site, and answer the questions on the Air Pressure Guide.
Understanding Pressure Systems
First, learn some basic information about high and low pressure.
First, learn some basic information about high and low pressure.
High Pressure:
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Low Pressure:
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Experimenting with air pressure is a lot of fun.
Find an empty plastic gallon milk jug with a screw top. Fill it about a quarter of the way full with very hot water. Cap it tightly and let it stand for about an hour. What did you expect to happen? What did happen?
One way to measure air pressure is to use a barometer: Take careful notes on the following video. Then, along with your Chase Team, make your own barometer.
Make a barometer
Can you detect air pressure changes without a barometer?
Find an empty plastic gallon milk jug with a screw top. Fill it about a quarter of the way full with very hot water. Cap it tightly and let it stand for about an hour. What did you expect to happen? What did happen?
One way to measure air pressure is to use a barometer: Take careful notes on the following video. Then, along with your Chase Team, make your own barometer.
Make a barometer
Can you detect air pressure changes without a barometer?