Where’s the Air?The Air Around Us

Investigation 2, Part 1-edited for Website

AirWeather happens close to the earth’s surface or

Troposphere. We live surrounded by air, a mixture of gases.

Weather ToolsFirst investigationTo measure weather conditions

Air plays a very important

role in the weather

The ExperimentInvestigate air with your shoulder partner

using a tube and giant syringeDo not:

use your syringe to annoy another studentpoint either end of the syringe at another

student

QuestionsAs you work with the syringe answer the

following questions:What happens to air in the syringe when you

push and pull on the plunger?What can air do?

Air Investigations (Lab Handout)

3 Part Investigation

3 Observations

3 Questions

The Experiment

… when you push and pull

on the plunger? Add a

binder clip?

What happens to the air in the syringe…

When you clamp the tube closed and push the plunger down what happens to the air?

The air is pushed into a smaller space

What happens when you let go of the plunger after pushing it down?

The air pushes the plunger back up

Is there

more air less air the same amount of air in the syringe when the air is pushed into a smaller space?

ObservationsWhat do you think happens to the air when it is

pushed into a smaller space?

What happens to push the plunger back out when you release pressure on the plunger?

CompressionAir forced into a smaller space The air (same amount) was compressed

Force

Compression and Pressure

Compressed air will push the plunger outPressure is the push back of compressed air

Pushes back

Compressed air…

with a force equal to the force compressing it

Conduct an Experiment

What happens? Gets smaller

Why does this happen? The air inside the foam is being compressed

Compression MultiMediaView the “Gas in a Syringe” animation

Gas in a Syringe model

What is the air made of?Everything is made of atoms, including air

Molecules of gases move around freely

There is a lot of space between molecules of gases

Compression and Air

The same number of molecules are pushed closer togetherMolecules bump into each other more

Volume of air

Is compressed into a smaller space

Pressure pushes in all

directions

Our QuestionDoes air have weight?

Does air have mass?

Weight?How can we confirm that something has mass?

We can weigh it

Weight - pull or force between Earth and the matter in an object or substanceCan vary slightly at different places in EarthCan vary greatly on different planets

Prove It!Does air have mass?Available materials for use: -balloons - tape - plastic zip bags - paper clips - string - clear straws

Prove It!In your group design an experiment to show air

has mass.Use 1 Science Buddies sheet, but all members

contribute. Write name in the box you wrote. Use your metacognitive skills. (Think about your

thinking)

ReadingTurn to p. 6 in textRead “What’s in the Air?”

Answer the questions on the bottom of pg. 3 lab worksheet.

Ticket OutTo leave today, on a half sheet of paper,

complete the following.

Three key

points from your

learning.

One concept that I am square with.

(completely understand)

Write a question

that is still rolling

around in your head.