Water Pressure Blaster
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Description
In this experiment (located on pages 1-3 of the PDF), learners apply pressure to a water bottle (i.e. “push” on the water) to determine how the area of a hole affects the force of the water. Learners become familiar with the concept of pressure, its relationship to width/diameter of a stream or pipe and the associated force/rate of flow. The activity may be used to enhance learning that happens before or after a visit to the FlowWorks exhibit at the Children's Museum of Houston, but a visit is not required.
Quick Guide
- Preparation Time: 5 to 10 minutes
- Learning Time: 45 to 60 minutes
- Estimated materials cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
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Age Range: Ages 8 - 11
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Resource Types:
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Language: English
Materials List (per group of students)
- Three plastic water bottles with caps
- Chalk
- Meter stick and metric rulers
- Paper/pencil
- A permanent marker (for teacher only)
- three different sized nails (with hammer) or drill bits (for teacher only)
Subjects
Informal Categories
- Outdoor Activity
- Nature and Environment
- Physical Activity
Subjects
- Physical Sciences
- Energy
- Motion and Forces
- States of Matter
- Liquids
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity learners need to
- see
- read
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
Comments
I tried this activity out. The kids have all sorts of crazy ideas on what will happen and why. It's great to ask them before you squirt the bottles to see what they're thinking. Then when they do the activity they are so surprised at the results! The results are not what you think! I know I was wrong.
Very simple to do, and perfect for summer.