What are some properties of air? (1)
1. Ask the question
Now that air has been established as matter, students begin a list of air's properties. Introduce the investigation question:
What are some properties of air?
Record properties of air that students can identify. As they mention a property ask for evidence or reasoning that supports their claim.
| Properties | Evidence or Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Air is invisible. | I can see through it. |
| Air has weight. | I saw the filled balloons tip the balance in the last science class. |
| Air takes up space. | Air made the plunger of the syringe move. |
| Clear air has no odor or taste. | Personal observations. |
Save the list of properties; students will add properties as they continue their investigation of air.
Introduce the term compressible - able to be squeezed or pressed into a smaller size or volume. One property of a rock is that it is not visibly compressible. One property of a sponge is that it is visibly compressible. Explain to students they'll be exploring the compressibility of air and how it compares with the compressibility of water.
