Tuesday 17 April 2012

Science and The States of Matter




Recently, the year 2 neighbourhood has been investigating science through the states of matter.  Our initial inquiry eventually lead us toward ways of observing gases and the effects they can have on the world around us.  ‘Seeing is believing,’ so by making the invisible visible, we are forming solid understandings about some very fluid concepts.  This video is an example of a simple vortex cannon being used to illustrate the point: gas is matter! 
Try and make one at home, it may just blow you away!



How to make a “Vortex Cannon”

Equipment:
-one sturdy corrugated cardboard box [bigger is better]
-one roll of good quality packing tape [reinforcement is necessary]
-a CD/DVD to trace your opening. 
-a knife or pair of scissors to cut the hole.

1)  First reinforce your box with the packing tape.  Be sure to cover all seams, this box is going to take some abuse!
2)  Second, trace out your opening with the CD/DVD.  It is important the opening be as circular as possible!
3)  Adult supervision required:  carefully cut along your traced lines to create the hole for your vortex.
4)  Firmly tap the sides of the box to “Fire at will!”

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