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Why Does the Wind Blow? Lab ResourceWhy Does the Wind Blow? Lab Resource
Publisher
Colorado State University
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Type
Lab Resources
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
30 mins
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
4 more...
Technology
Scientific Equipment
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lab Resource

Why Does the Wind Blow?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Why Does the Wind Blow? lab resource also includes:
  • Lab & Experiment
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Without wind, the weather man wouldn't have much to talk about! Blow away your junior meteorologists with a creative demonstration of how wind works. The activity uses an empty soda bottle and compressible Styrofoam peanuts to illustrate the effects of changing pressure within a system.

39 Views 28 Downloads

Concepts

wind, atmospheric pressure, pressure, weather, making observations, gas laws, compression

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Make the opening discussion of wind and weather more relevant by including local geography and how it affects conditions in your area
  • Ask pupils to hypothesize how using a bigger bottle would affect the demonstration

Classroom Considerations

  • Use marshmallows, rather than Styrofoam peanuts, for an eco-friendly lab
  • The activity requires a Fizz Keeper pump cap to add pressure to the soda bottle

Pros

  • Makes clear connections between pressure and geographical features to give students a clear picture of why winds move and change
  • The teacher's guide includes tips for turning the demonstration into small-group experiments 

Cons

  • None

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