Do you know what the air pressure is today? You can find out for yourself by measuring the air pressure on a barometer.
What you will need:
- plastic wrap
- scissors
- straw
- index card
- rubber band
Instructions:
- COVER the top of the can with plastic wrap. USE a rubber band to hold the plastic wrap in place. The cover should be taut making the can airtight.
- PLACE the straw horizontally on the plastic wrap so that two-thirds of the straw is on the can.
- TAPE the straw to the middle of the plastic wrap.
- TAPE the index card to the can behind the straw.
- Carefully RECORD the location of the straw on the index card.
- After 15 minutes, RECORD the new location of the straw on the index card.
- Continue CHECKING and RECORDING the straw location as often as desired.
- Be careful not to place your barometer near a window, as the barometer is sensitive to temperature as well as air pressure.
What's happening:
High pressure will make the plastic wrap cave in, and the straw go up. Low pressure will make the plastic wrap puff up, and the straw go down.
