Air Under Water

In this experiment students found out more about air by submerging vials into basins of water.  The submerged vials had a tiny paper towel inside.   Our Science Question:  Is there air in the submerged vial?  How do you know?

First we pushed a paper towel into the bottom of the vial.

Next we submerged our vials under water.

Then we asked:  What did you do to keep the paper towel dry?

Our parent volunteers helped our students understand that air was captured in the vial and the water couldn't get into the vial as long as air was taking up the space.  

She wrote, "My favorite part was when we submerged the vial under the water.  The paper was dry because air was taking up space in the vial."

We also learned that to put something completely under water is to submerge it.

She said, "My favorite part was putting the vial in the water.  The paper towel was dry because the air was taking up the space in the vial."

We learned that air takes up space so the water can't get in and get the towel wet.

Last we wrote about our experiment.