Science Fair Projects Kids Will Think is Fun - Does Air Take Up Space?

Do you want your kids to love science? If so, makeand the tissue any more, so the water reached the
sure they do science fair projects kids will find fun. Kidstissue and made it whet.
will not be interested in projects that are not veryThe case of the airlock
visual and that are not very easy to do. They want toAfter you have completed this, one of our science fair
see the results in a very short time, I've seen that overprojects kids will love to do, you should be able to
and over again with my little granddaughter Anabel.answer the following questions:
She loses interest very soon if things are moving too
slow!1. What do you do when you seal the opening of the
So, here is a science fair projects kids will find fun andbottle with the adhesive clay?
easy. It actually is two experiments that can be done,2. What happens when you pour the water in the
first the one and on the next day the other so it doesfunnel while the bottle is sealed?
not take too long.3. Why do you think it happens?
Does air take up space?4. Why doesn't the air escape through the opening in
The case of the dry tissue paperthe funnel?
After you have done this experiment you should be5. Why do you keep the top opening of the straw
able to answer the following questions:closed at first?
- How does the tissue paper feel after the first part of6. What happens when you take away your finger
the experiment?after you have inserted the straw in the opening of
- What do you see when you turn the glass slightly?the funnel?
- What causes these bubbles?7. Why do you think it happens?
- What happens to the tissue paper now?8. What does it tell you about the properties of the
- What do you think stopped the tissue paper fromwater as well as the air?
getting whet the first time?What you need for this experiment:
- What was there between the tissue paper and the- A funnel with a short stem
water?- A bottle with an opening that the funnel fist snuggly in
- Look around, is there air around you?- Adhesive clay
- Can you see the air?- A straw
What you need for your project:- A jug
- One tissue- Water
- A glassWhat to do:
- A bowl
- Water1. Place the funnel in the bottle
How to do this experiment:2. Seal the rim of the bottle with adhesive clay making
sure it is completely sealed and no air can escape
1. First you have to crumple the tissue and place it in3. Put the water in a jug and pour some of it into your
the bottom of the glass making sure there is afunnel and observe what happens.
relatively big space between the rim of the glass and4. Now you take the straw and while keeping one end
the tissue.closed with your finger, push it into the funnel.
2. Now you have to turn the glass up side down and5. Remove your finger
submerge it in the water making sure you keep it6. Observe what happens now
completely vertical.Conclusion:
3. Take the glass out of the water and feel the tissue.The air in the bottle is trapped and prevents the water
4. Now do the same, but turn the glass slightly so thefrom running into the bottle. No air can escape through
air can escape.the water as the water molecules in the opening of
5. Take it out again and feel the tissue.the funnel because of the surface tension in the water.
6. Now and try all the questions on top.(What is this?) When you insert the straw in the bottle,
Conclusion:you hold one opening closed to prevent the water
Air takes up space and it is all around us.from the funnel to go into the straw. When the straw
The tissue stays dry in the first part because the airis through the water layer and you remove your finger,
between the water and the tissue prevent the waterthe air in the bottle can escape through the straw and
from reaching it and making it whet.the water starts pouring into the bottle.
In the second part you allowed the air to escape andThese two science fair projects kids will love to do
water could fill that space left by the escaping air. Thecan be turned into a very good science fair project.
air was not there to form a layer between the waterPay attention to the scientific method and your display.