Through watching several classic air pressure demonstrations, middle schoolers determine that high pressure areas move toward lower pressure areas, heated air causes a drop in pressure, and forces exist when pressures are unequal. By combining a reading passage with what they learned from the demonstration, individuals make the connection of differences in air pressures and wind. 

Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have the class watch the weather and determine if the winds are blowing in the expected direction based upon pressures
• Show that air has weight by weighing a deflated ball and the same ball filled with air

Classroom Considerations

• Many materials are needed in order to perform the demonstrations
• If building the optional barometer, it will need to be placed for several days in order to see changes
• Fourth of a 19-part series

Pros

• The lesson includes an extension activity of building a hot air balloon
• The class is involved in multiple learning methods throughout the lesson

Cons

• None