OXYGEN vs. AIR PRESSURE

Purpose:

• To determine if water level is effected by a change in oxygen level or air pressure and draw appropriate conclusions.

Grade Level/Subject/Class Time:

• 8th & 9th grades/Earth Science/ 40 - 50 minutes

Applicable National Standards:

• 8th and 9th grade Earth Science. Science: national and Virginia, 4.1, 4.6, 5.1, ES 1, 12; Math: Virginia 4.2

Key Words:

• oxygen, air pressure

MATERIALS:

• Canning jar
• aluminum pie plate
• matches
• candle
• water

Procedures:

1. Fix candle to bottom of pie plate with soft wax.
2. Fill pie plate with 2 cm of water. Place jar over candle.
3. Divide height of inside water level by height of jar and multiply by 100 to determine % occupied by water.
4. Light candle and place jar over candle.
5. Observe water level inside jar and record your observation.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

Conclusion:

• What could have caused the water level in the jar to change?