S2.4.2 For the adult
Air is all around us
Is there anything in an empty cup?
What this chapter teaches
Air is a gas. It takes up space, and moving air pushes things. A cup pushed upside down into water keeps air inside, so the water cannot fill it. An empty cup is full of air.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- What do you think happens when you push an upside down cup into water, and why?
- How could you show that air is there when you cannot see it?
- What is in a cup that you call empty?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Show that air takes up space using a cup pushed into water
- Show that moving air can push things, such as a paper windmill
What they copy into their notebook
Air is a gas. It is all around you and takes up space. A cup pushed into water keeps water out because it holds air. Moving air pushes things, like a paper windmill.