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Activity Number 2 - An Experiment

Purpose

To show that air has weight.

The balance of the stick favours the heavier, inflated balloon on the right because it contains more air than the uninflated balloon on the left.

Materials

  • two balloons
  • tape
  • ruler or yardstick
  • string
  • pin

Method

  1. Have your students inflate the balloons until they are the same size; then tie them shut.
  2. Have them put a piece of tape on one of the balloons near the opening, and use 2 pieces of string to tie one balloon to each end of the ruler or yard stick.
  3. Have them tie another piece of string around the centre of the ruler and hang it up so that the two balloons are balanced and they do not rub against a wall.
  4. Take the pin and make a small hole in the tape on the one balloon. When you step away, make sure the two balloons are still balanced.

Observations

The balance changes as the air in the one balloon leaked out and the balloon became lighter.

Conclusions

Air has weight.

Adapted from the Internet site http://unitedlearning.com--

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