We are now talking about matter that is GAS!!!! Check out our class activities, experiments, and demonstrations!

An “empty” bottle is no longer empty! We have discovered that it contains gas! Since the bottle in this picture already contains a gas, we cannot blow up the balloon because we can’t add more gas to the already-filled container.

In this demonstration, we put air bubbles into a tube of water. After putting lots of air in the tube, we noticed that the amount of water in the tube had decreased…

The amount of water in the tube decreased because the water left the tube and entered the tray underneath. The water had to leave the tube because the tube had to make room for the air. Both types of matter cannot be in the same place at the same time.

Does gas have weight?

YES!!! This balloon, filled with gas (air), is heavier then the deflated balloon.

Air pressure is pushing down, up, and sideways. In the bottle to the left, air pressure is shown pushing downward with a thumb holding the hole closed. In the picture to the right, air pressure is shown pushing downward again, but now the thumb is released showing the air pressure pushing so hard that the water squirts out the hole in the bottom of the bottle.

Air pressure is pushing in all directions! In the bottle to the left, air pressure is shown pushing against the side hole; therefore, holding the water inside the bottle. In the picture to the right, air pressure is shown pushing downward; therefore, water is squirting out the side hole.

Air pressure is a force that is exerted all around matter. Air pressure pushes upward, downward, and sideways. In this activity, the air pressure is pushing up on the index card so much so that the index card is holding the water inside the glass. Try this at home!

Gas particles are sometimes so small that they can pass through a solid object. We observed this with vanilla extract inside this balloon. After rubbing the balloon on our hands, we could smell the vanilla on our hands! The gas particles are going from an area of high concentration inside the balloon to an area of low concentration outside of the balloon!

At its thickest point, the balloon was 41 ½ cm wide (the length of this string). In a few days, we will see how thick is the balloon is then!

There used to be a piece of steel wool in this water. Oxidation has turned this water into rusty water because the water and the air have come in contact with the steel.

When oxygen is removed from the air in a closed container, the pressure decreases (gets lower). Because of this, the higher air pressure outside the container can push a substance into the container (the second tube). Compare the steel wool with the wool that is the result of oxidation!

When gas particles are cooled, they slow down and become compact. Hence, the balloon is deflated. When gas particles are heated up (here in the tub of hot water), they move fast, spread out, and bump into the sides of their container. Hence, the balloon is inflated due to the gas particles pushing on the walls of the balloon.

Gas particles that are heated are like a person in the summer (spread out, running around fast). Gas particles that are cooled are like a person in the winter (compact/squeezed together, walking slowly).

When baking soda and vinegar mix, they create a chemical reaction ! The result of the chemical reaction is called the product. The product of this chemical reaction was the a gas called carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). 1.Balloon filled with baking soda and bottle filled with vinegar. They are waiting to interact! 2.Baking soda and vinegar have interacted and produced a gas that inflates the balloon! 3.Baking soda and vinegar start to stop reacting inside the bottle (bubbles and foam going down). 4.The reaction is done and the gas inside the balloon is leaving. The balloon is deflating

We decided to see the effect of the baking soda and vinegar reaction with raisins! Because gas (carbon dioxide) is produced, the raisins will float/bounce inside the liquid. Notice the air bubbles surrounding the raisins! You can do this at home with baking soda and vinegar (and a little water), or just use a clear soda (Sprite or 7-Up). Watch the raisins jump!!!