WV State Standards: Math: Science: AC.1.5, AC.2.5, AC.2.6, AC.4.1; (Science 9) SC.9.1.1, SC.9.1.3, SC.9.1.5, SC.9.2.1, SC.9.2.2, SC.9.2.6, SC.9.2.7, SC.9.3.1, SC.9.5.4 Technology: TEC.9-12.1.1, TEC.9-12.1.2, TEC.9-12.3.1, TEC.9-12.3.2 National Standards:  Math: Science: 8, 9 Technology: Blooms Taxonomy: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, & Evaluation 21st Century Skills: Creativity and intellectual curiosity, Critical thinking and systems thinking, Thinking and problem solving skills, Interpersonal and Collaborative skills

Objective(s)

The intent of this activity is to demonstrate to students the properties of pressure, temperature, & volume as they relate to gases. As a result of this experience, students will:

• understand what a barometer does as well as its historical significance
• visually experience the results of pressure changes on metal cans and plastic bottles. The accompanying changes in gas volume will also become clear
• grasp the relationship temperature plays on gas volume. Use for a scenario.

Time Required

One 90 minute class period (Two 45 minute class periods)

Pre-Requisite Skills

The use of significant digits in a math operation and labeling measurements with proper units & unit conversions

21st Century Tools (Technology Tools)

Instructional Materials

Vacuum pump, hot plate, metal gallon cans, aluminum soda cans, beaker tongs, balloons, transparencies or PowerPoint presentation.

Procedure

1. Give scenario to students (student groups) and allow for discussion and brainstorming.
2. Bring students back together and as a class discuss their engineering ideas for the problem.
3. Many different ideas will be proposed and do not be critical of any. (Do any of them think of using air as a tool for moving this object?)
4. Discuss the invention of the barometer by Torricelli & what this instrument measures.
5. Assemble & demonstrate a water barometer (refer to website for the ammonia fountain).
6. Using a vacuum pump, place an inflated balloon under the bell jar and evacuate the chamber.
7. Crush a metal can that has been purged of air by using air pressure. Have students sketch the can before & after this activity. Have the students include an explanation of what caused the can to collapse. Video version of can-crush demo: Can
8. Inflate a tissue paper balloon with a hair dryer, measure the temperature of the gas (air) with an IRT. Discuss the change in volume.
9. Summarize the properties of gases by describing how pressure, temperature, & volume effect the behavior of a gas. Summary

Differentiated Instruction

To help students with special needs, offer explanations utilizing reduced math concepts. Focus on a large or a small increase in pressure as opposed to a numerical amount. Other areas of help would be using fellow students to put explanations in their own words.

Collaboration

The can crush activity could be used in an art class dealing with shapes or a consumer science class in which we would need to reduce the volume of trash.

Author's Comments

Many different ideas on the teaching of gas properties are readily available in high school chemistry textbooks. I would also suggest using Chemistry Topics published by Flinn Scientific Inc..  The activity summary, included in the procedure section, may be used as a quiz if the teacher so desires.

21st Century Assessment/Evaluation

To best measure student understanding of pressure, temperature, & volume relationships, ask students to explain one of the teacher directed demonstration activities.