JASON Mission Center : Pushing Up with Pressure

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From: Monster Storms Mission 1: The Usual Suspects (pp: 18)

Pushing Up with Pressure

In this lab, you will investigate the strength of air pressure.

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When Aerosonde was launched, air pressure measurements were collected and entered into a computer program able to use this data to determine the wind speeds and wind directions in Hurricane Ophelia. In the future, forecasters will be able to use Aerosonde data to better predict where winds would be strongest in a hurricane. Then, forecasters and emergency management personnel will be better prepared when a hurricane makes landfall.

In this lab, you will investigate the strength of air pressure.

Materials

Lab 2 Data Sheet	index card (or playing card)
small paper or plastic drinking cup	pushpin
small basin (such as a bowl)	piece of tape

Lab Prep

As you learned in the Mission Briefing, air pressure is caused by moving molecules and atoms. Do you think that air pressure acts in all directions? Why or why not?
If the air pressure outside a container is higher than the air pressure inside the container, an overall inward push exists on the container. What would happen if a hole were made in the container?
Do you think it is possible to keep water in an upside-down cup using only a piece of paper? Why or why not?

Make Observations

Fill a small drinking cup to the top rim with water and place the index card on top of the cup. Hold the cup over a basin or sink. CAREFULLY turn the cup upside down while holding the card firmly in place. Then release your hand from the card while still holding the cup. What happens?
Why does the water behave as it does?
Try the activity again, but first use a pushpin to poke a small hole in the bottom of the cup. Cover the hole with tape, and then repeat step one. While the cup is upside down, remove the tape from the bottom of the cup. What happens?
Why is the behavior of the water different when the tape is removed from the cup?
What do you think would happen if you put the hole in the side of the cup instead of the bottom?
Does the size of the cup matter? Why or why not?
How much air can you let into the cup while it is upside down and still keep the water in the cup?
If you use a liquid, other than water, will the activity still work? Try it! What happens?

Journal Question:

Using your knowledge of air pressure, explain what happens as you drink through a straw.

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