Holes in Soda Bottle Part 1: Qualitative Testing Experiment

Aim

This and the following experiment is a test of the pressure in fluids model and students overall model of pressure.

Prior Knowledge

  1. Pressure in gases.
  2. Atmospheric pressure.
  3. Pressure in fluids
  4. Need to understand pressure.

Description of the Experiment

A soda bottle is filled with water and a small space with air is left at the top. The cap is then put on. A hole is made in the side with a pin.

The hole is first plugged with the pin, then the pin is removed. Predict what will happen. Will you see a stream of water? If not, why not? If so, how will it behave?

Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE.

Questions

If your predictions were incorrect, try and explain what you saw using your models of pressure.