Did you know that air takes up space? You can’t just go through it… let’s test it with water!
Intention
In this experiment, students discover that even though air is invisible, it still takes up space. They will see how air prevents water from entering an upside-down cup, proving that the “empty” cup is actually full of gas — air!
This activity helps students understand that gases occupy space, even when we can’t see them, and that air is all around us.
Take the smaller cup and push a crumpled piece of paper into the bottom so that it stays in place.
Hold the cup upside down (with the opening facing downwards) but make sure you really hold it straight downwards.
Carefully lower the upside-down cup into the larger cup or container filled with water, until the rim is below the water’s surface.
Then lift the cup back out of the water, keeping it upside down.
Check whether the paper is wet or dry.
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