Feeling The Pressure

WHY?

Air pressure is very present on the earth's surface. The air is held to the earth by the force of gravity. The farther you get away from the earth's surface the less air pressure there is because there is less gravity. In outerspace there is no gravity and so there is no air pressure. Gravity is what holds the air pressure together. That is why astronauts in outer space need special instruments to do the simple, daily tasks of earth where there is gravity.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

question_guy

four Student is able to communicate that air pressure is present because of the force of gravity holding it to earth. The student can tell you that the greatest amount of air pressure is at the earth's surface and that there is no gravity in outerspace, thus no air pressure.

three Student is able to communicate something about air pressure being present on earth because of gravity. The student can tell you something about why there is no air pressure in outerspace.

two Student is able to communicate that there is air pressure and gravity on earth and that there is no gravity in outerspace.

one Student is able to communicate that air pressure and gravity exist.

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Last modified: Sat Dec 13 15:35:59 PST 1997