Air Takes Up Space
Trap air in a cup and lower it into water.
Can invisible air make a difference?
Can air keep paper dry?
Choose how to lower the cup. The paper is fixed inside at its closed end.
A qualitative model: real water levels depend on depth, cup angle and trapped air. Try a shallow bowl with a trusted adult.
What is happening?
Air is matter and takes up space even though we cannot see it. An upside-down cup traps air, which keeps some water out. Tilting the cup lets air escape as bubbles and water enter.
Simplified model: This is a simplified illustration. In a real experiment the water level also depends on depth, trapped air and the cup angle.
Questions to explore
What can I discover?
Air is matter and takes up space even though we cannot see it. An upside-down cup traps air, which keeps some water out. Tilting the cup lets air escape as bubbles and water enter.
Is this exactly like a real experiment?
This is a simplified illustration. In a real experiment the water level also depends on depth, trapped air and the cup angle.