4. Air, a Gas:  Investigation 14

What are some properties of air? (1)

1. Ask the question

All Class 10 Mins

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 of Air
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.