Air - Is It Really There?
By watching and performing several simple experiments, students develop an understanding of the properties of air: it has mass, it takes up space, it can move, it exerts pressure, it can do work.
Is air really there?Copyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dandelion_seed_dispersal.jpg
Engineers must understand the physical properties of air so they can determine the best way to remove pollutants from contaminated air. They study how quickly air moves and how much pressure it exerts. This knowledge helps them design filtration systems that efficiently move air through a system, while at the same time ensuring that pollutants are removed before the air is released into the atmosphere.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Understand and explain that air takes up space has mass, can move, exerts pressure, and can do work.
- Give examples that demonstrate an understanding of the properties of air.
- Explain why it is important for engineers to understand the properties of air.