Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 6

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

CAN CRUSHER: SUPPLIES: A hot plate or stove, a pop can that is empty, a large bowl of ice water, tongs.  THIS EXPERIMENT IS ALSO DONE WITH PARENT SUPERVISION. Put about ¹/₂ inch of water in the bottom of the can and heat the can until the water inside is boiling. Boil for one minute. Using the tongs, quickly invert the can into the cold water. It will implode in seconds.

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)

Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 5

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

POWER STRAW: SUPPLIES: A potato and a drinking straw. Cut the straw in half. Hold your thumb firmly over the end of the straw and stab the other end into the potato. Now try it without holding the end of the straw. Think about how much strength the air inside the straw gives it.

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)

Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 4

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

PING PONG BALL BALANCING ACT: SUPPLIES: A hair dryer and a ping pong ball and cotton ball. Turn the hair dryer on and hold it so it blows straight up. Gently place the ping pong ball on end and see how long it will float in the air. See how far you can tilt the dryer before it falls off. Now try the cotton ball. What happens? How does the smooth shape of the ball help it stay in place? This experiment explores aerodynamics.

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)

Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 3

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

GET VACUUMED PACKED!: Warning- do not do this without adult supervision. SUPPLIES: A tank vacuum and a large garbage or leaf bag. Get a volunteer to put their legs inside the leaf bag and pull it up around their body as high as it will go. Have the volunteer pull the bag tightly around his body with no leaks and sit on a chair or on the floor. Insert the hose in the bag, having the volunteer or another person hold it tightly. The hose should be by the person’s stomach and away from the plastic or clothing that will stop the suction.

 Turn the vacuum on. Watch the plastic tighten around  the person’s body. Once the plastic is really tight, the person won’t even be able to move their legs! Of course, never put the bag on someone’s head. This creates a powerful suction- if done right, you can hardly move!

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)

Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 2

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

TANK VACUUM SHOOTER: SUPPLIES: A tank vacuum, duct tape, a long tube of cardboard like a gift wrap core and a short piece of cardboard tube about 6 inches long, a piece of cardboard about 4” square, a light ball or tube that will fit inside the long tube. Using an X-acto knife, scissors or serrated knife, cut a pattern of pizza slices as shown 5 inches from one end:   

Do not make the cuts too big- just enough to fold them outward and slip the short piece of tube inside. Tape this securely so it doesn’t leak air. If this short tube won’t fit over the end of the tank vacuum hose, use another tube or cardboard to join the two.  Attach the shooter to the vacuum as shown, turn it on, and place the  card on the far end. Bring the ball or tube up to the long end. The ball will be sucked through the tube, and shoot out the other end. Of course, don’t point this at anyone. It doesn’t come out too fast, but it could still hurt up close.

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)

Seven Fun Science Experiments about Air You Can Do at Home, Part 1

NOTE: it is always good to wear safety glasses when doing any science experiment.

HOVER CRAFT: SUPPLIES: an old CD or DVD, a hot glue gun, a balloon (the bigger the better), a cap from a liquid detergent bottle. Hot glue the detergent cap over the hole on the CD, using a lot of glue. Once firmly set, be sure the top of the cap is closed. Blow up the balloon and stretch the end over the cap. Gently open the cap just a little and give it a push on a hard surface! This is great for teaching kids about properties of air and friction.            

                                         

Submitted by S. Jeppesen

Youth Services Librarian

Hunter Library (Salt Lake County Library Services)