Into Thin Air Science Activity To Discover If Air Has Mass Or Weight

Looking for a quick and easy hands-on science activity to help children figure out if air has mass or weight? Children will have fun and enjoy exploring this answer through this easy to prep activity from Education.com. Check it out and let me know how it worked for you!

Into Thin Air

Grade

K – 2nd grades

Difficulty of Project

Easy

Cost

Less than $5.00

Safety Issues

Because of possible latex allergies, caution should be taken when using balloons

Material Availability

Readily available or easily purchased at the grocery store

Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project

30 minutes to conduct the investigation and collect the data; one day to prepare the science fair display

To investigate whether air has mass and weight

·         6 balloons (same size and shape)

·         7 pieces of string about 8 inches in length

·         Marker

·         Ruler

·         Tape

·         Table

Air is all around us. Because air is mostly invisible, many young children mistakenly assume it has no mass or weight. Air is made up of different gases, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, and others. All of these gases are composed of particles, or molecules.

In this investigation, balloons filled with air are compared to show that air does have mass and weight.

Terms, Concepts, and Questions to Start Background Research

mass:t he size or amount of something compared to its weight

weight: heaviness; the amount something weighs

inflate: to fill with air

Air has weight and mass.

Research Questions

·         Does air have weight?

·         Does air have mass?

·         What inflates a balloon?

1.     Gather the necessary materials.

2.     To show that air has mass, have an adult help inflate the balloons to six different sizes.

3.     The mass of the air causes the balloons to inflate.

4.    Tie off the end of each balloon and then tie a piece of string to the end of each balloon.

5.    Using the marker, label the balloons A, B, C, D, E, and F.

6.    Predict which balloon is the heaviest. Record your prediction.

7.    Tie one end of a piece of string to the center of the ruler. Tape the other end of the string to a table so that the ruler hangs freely below. Be sure that the ruler balances straight across when it is hanging. Move the string to make adjustments.

8.     Compare the weight of the balloons by tying different combinations of balloons to the ends of the ruler exactly one inch from the end. The balloon that tips the ruler down weighs more than the other balloon. Record the data.

Bibliography

“Air is Matter” at http://www.teacherdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.descwrld.air

Branley, Franklyn M. Air is All Around You. HarperCollins Children’s Books: New York, 1962.

Author: Nancy Rogers Bosse

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