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Mrs. Long's Classroom

Experiments to Try at Home

Excelsior Middle School
319-447-3181

While you are home try these experiments and see what you can find out!

Experiment 1:  Determine if size affects the speed of  a falling parachute.

You will need small plastic garbage bags, string, 2 small washers, scissors and a ruler.

Procedure:

  1.  Cut 8 separate strings about 20 inches long
  2.  Cut a 12 in square from the plastic.
  3.  Tie a string to each corner of the plastic square.
  4.  Tie the four free ends of the strings together in a knot.  Be sure the strings are all the same length.
  5.  Use a string about 4 inches long to attach the washer to the knot in the parachute strings.
  6.  Make a larger parachute using a 24 inch square of plastic and the 4 remaining strings.
  7.  Attach the washer to the parachute with a 4 inch piece of string as before.
  8.   Test the parachutes.  Hold each at the center of the plastic.  Fold the plastic in half.  Loosely wrap the string around the folded plastic.  
  9.   Throw the parachutes up into the air one at a time and observe the time it takes for each to reach the ground.

 

IMG 5496 1

Experiment 2:  Why do bubbles rise in liquids?

Materials needed:  1 large clear jar or clear mixing bowl, clear plastic tubing about 20 inches (you could try a straw too), and a small balloon

Procedure:

  1.  Fill the jar with water
  2.  Place one end of the clear plastic tubing in the water at the bottom of the jar.
  3.  Inflate the balloon and twist the neck to prevent the air from escaping
  4.  Slip the mouth of the balloon over the end of the tube.  Hold securely with your fingers.
  5. Untwist the balloon and allow the air to escape slowly through the tube.
  6.  Watch the end of the tube in the water and notice the movement of the air as it exits the tube. 
  7.  You should see bubbles being formed at the end of the tube.  The bubbles then rise to the top of the water’s surface and escape into the air.  WHY do they do this?

 

Experiment 3

Watch Bill Nye Do it Yourself Science.  We have watched this in class, but now try these experiments at home!!  https://youtu.be/f44hSOMEbVQ

 

If you want let Mrs. Long know what experiments you tried, and what happened!  Any questions?  Let Mrs. Long know. :)