Properties of gases, air pressure and ‘sticky’ cups

This resource is also available in Welsh and Irish

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This experiment focuses on gases and air pressure. First watch the video on how to carry out the ‘sticky cups’ demonstration, then find out how your learners can investigate how gases expand using water, a bottle and a balloon. 

Learning objectives

• To understand that air is a fluid: it flows, can change shape and fills its container.
• To learn that when air is warmed, the gases expand due to the increased heat.
• To learn that particles in a gas move around and when heated, this movement is quicker and causes an expansion of the air inside its container.
• To understand that when we consider the force of air over a specific area, we call this air pressure.

Enquiry skills:

• Identify variables that can be changed, measured and controlled.
• Record observations and explain what has been found.

Watch the video

The video below shows how to carry out the ‘sticky cups’ demonstration.

What do learners need to know first?

Learners should understand the particle differences between solids, liquids, and gases. They should recognise that gases cannot be seen. They should be aware that air is made up of different gases and is all around us, and that gas particles move around freely.

Equipment list

Demonstration:

• 2 identical translucent plastic cups
• Kettle
• Kitchen roll
• Plastic beaker

Individual investigation (each group will need):

• Balloon
• 500 ml plastic drink bottle
• 2 bowls
• Hot water (hot from tap, but not boiling)
• Ice and water