Hot Water! How does the ocean affect climate? Well, it has a big impact! In this student page, you’ll learn why!
Materials: balloons
sink to fill balloons with water multipurpose/grill lighter
Procedure: Part I
In this experiment, you’ll be testing what happens when you hold a lighter to a balloon filled with air. The air is a model of the earth’s atmosphere—the gases that surround our planet.
First, blow up a balloon and tie it off so no air escapes.
Next, one person on your team will hold the balloon. Make sure you hold it out at arm’s length away from anyone’s face!
Now the other person on your team will light the grill lighter and hold it below the balloon. What happens?! Part II
Now let’s try the same experiment, but this time with a water-filled balloon. The water represents the earth’s oceans.
Fill a balloon at the sink and tie it off quickly over the sink so that no water escapes. Repeat the experiment: Hold the balloon at arm’s length while your partner holds the lighter below it. Now what happens?
Discussion
Why did the air-filled balloon blow up? Why didn’t the water-filled balloon? How are air and water different?