Portable Potable Pressure

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In this activity, learners use plastic water bottles, wood, and water to build an inexpensive and portable tool to demonstrate one atmosphere of pressure at sea level. Once the tool is assembled learners use it to explore atmospheric pressure and how humans respond to this pressure on Earth. This resource includes optional extensions to investigate non-metric units and atmospheric pressure on Venus, Mars, and in the deep ocean.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 1 inch square by 2 to 3 feet long piece of wood
  • 4 2-liter plastic bottles (or 2 2-liter and 2 1.5-liter plastic bottles) all bottles must be empty, clean and dry
  • Duct tape
  • Water
  • Massing scale
  • Graduated cylinder

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
      • Atmosphere
    • Solar System
      • The Planets
  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
    • States of Matter
      • Gases
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Muller, Eric

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2004