Free PDFGrade 2 · Science · 25 min
Proof that air takes up space
Push a glass over a paper boat and keep the boat dry under water.
I can show that air takes up space, even though I cannot see it.
A science experiment video with a free worksheet and answer key for teachers
About the video
In the video a glass is pushed down over a paper boat and the boat stays dry under water. At home your child pushes an upside down glass straight down into 8 cm of water, checks if the boat is dry, then tries again and tilts the glass at the bottom.
Air is real stuff that takes up space, even though we cannot see it. The air trapped in the glass keeps the water out, but when the glass is tilted the air escapes as bubbles and the water rushes in.
What your child learns
- Show that air takes up space
- Predict and check what happens to the boat
- Explain why bubbles let the water in
What's on the worksheet
- 1Predict first
- 2Record your tries
- 3What did you see?
- 4The science behind it
- 5Word match
- 6True or false
- 7Water maths
- 8Why?
- 9Draw it
You need
1 large clear bowl at least 15 cm deep, water, 1 clear drinking glass about 10 cm tall, 1 small paper boat about 5 cm long, 1 towel.
Tip for the adult
Remind your child to push the glass straight down, because even a small tilt lets air out and the boat gets wet on the first try.
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