Building a Barometer
Students investigate the weather from a systems approach, learning how individual parts of a system work together to create a final product. They learn how a barometer works to measure the Earth's air pressure by building a model using simple materials. Students analyze the changes in barometer measurements over time and compare those to actual weather conditions. They learn how to use a barometer to understand air pressure and predict real-world weather changes.
Figure 1. A barometer measures the pressure of the air.Copyright U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission http://www.centennialofflight.gov/2003FF/pressure/index.htm
Engineers often look at a problem from a systems approach—analyzing the individual parts or processes of a system that are designed to work together to perform a specific function. Then engineers can see how each part or process affects the system as a whole. Weather forecasting is studied from this type of systems approach, by analyzing each component that makes up the weather. Engineers develop instruments, such as barometers, to help measure and predict weather on Earth and in space. Engineers are always trying to improve these instruments to make them more accurate, more efficient or to utilize new technologies.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe a systems approach that engineers might use to address problems, such as weather forecasting.
- Explain how engineered instrumentation, such as a barometer, can help predict changes in weather systems.
- Relate how air pressure affects changes in weather systems.