Demonstrating Effects of Pressure in Outer Space
Objective: Students will understand the effects of atmospheric pressure and how objects behave differently in outer space using a syringe and a marshmallow as a demonstration tool.
Grade Level: Middle School
Materials:
Large, transparent syringes (with the needle end removed/capped for safety) – one per group or pair
Marshmallows (multiple sizes if possible)
Vacuum chamber (optional for advanced demonstration)
Duration: 50 minutes
Background: Outer space is a near-vacuum with very low density and pressure. On Earth, we have atmospheric pressure pressing down on us from all directions. When astronauts and equipment go into space, they are exposed to a different pressure environment, and understanding these differences is crucial for space exploration.
Procedure:
Introduction (10 minutes):
Discuss the concept of atmospheric pressure on Earth.
Introduce the idea of space being a vacuum and ask students what they think happens in a zero or low-pressure environment.
Demonstration (15 minutes):
Provide each group or pair with a syringe and a marshmallow.
Instruct students to place a marshmallow inside the syringe and cap it tightly.
Draw the plunger back on the syringe, creating a vacuum inside.
Observe the marshmallow's behavior. (It should expand.)
Discussion (10 minutes):
Why did the marshmallow expand? (In the vacuum of the syringe, the air pressure inside the marshmallow is greater than the pressure outside of it. This causes the air bubbles in the marshmallow to expand.)
Ask what they think will happen when the plunger is pushed back in, reintroducing outside air pressure.
Allow students to push the syringe plunger back to its original position and observe the marshmallow. (It will shrink, and might even become smaller than its original size because some of the air inside the marshmallow might have been pushed out.)
Discuss how this relates to the need for spacesuits and spacecrafts to be pressurized for astronauts.
Advanced Demonstration (Optional, 10 minutes):
If you have access to a vacuum chamber, place a marshmallow inside and remove the air. Students can observe a more pronounced version of the same effect.
Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes):
Recap the effects of pressure and how this simple experiment illustrates some challenges and considerations of space travel.
Discuss real-life applications, like how astronauts' bodies react to the vacuum of space, the design of space suits, and the design of spacecrafts.
Assessment:
Ask students to write a brief summary or reflection about what they learned.
Pose hypothetical scenarios or challenges related to pressure in space and ask for solutions based on their understanding.
Extensions:
Explore the effects of pressure on other materials or substances.
Investigate the challenges and solutions in current space missions and how engineers and scientists handle the issue of varying pressures.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the lesson, students will:
Understand the basic concepts of atmospheric pressure.
Understand how a vacuum affects objects filled with air.
Appreciate the complexities and challenges of space travel related to pressure differences.