Learning about Water Pressure

Water Science for Kids - Water Pressure

We're back with more hands on water science for kids.  Today I am sharing our recent water pressure demonstration.  This one is tricky, and JZ (6) was surprised to see what happened.

  

How to Set Up a Water Pressure Demonstration

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Supplies:

• water
• bowl or container
• empty yogurt container (or something similar)
• push pin or thumbtack
• ball point pen

Directions:  I had JZ turn over the empty yogurt container and poke holes into the bottom using a push pin.  Then he turned the container right side up and immersed it in the water.  When the container was full of water he pushed the lid on and sealed it tight.

JZ pulled the dish out of the water, fully expecting the water to drip out of the holes on the bottom of the container.  He started giggling thinking it was a trick.

I gave him a pen to poke a hole in the top of the yogurt container.

Immediately water began to drip out of the bottom.  I explained to JZ that the water couldn't come out of the bottom at first, because air was pressing up, pushing the water away from the holes.  Once he poked a hole in the lid the air had somewhere to go, and the water could fall through the holes.

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