Measurement of atmospheric pressure with simple elements in class

Authors

  • Juan Cruz Bigliani Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales

Keywords:

Experimental activity, Pressure measurement, Curiosity, Everyday objects

Abstract

During the Physics I classes, a series of attractive experiments were included with the aim of capturing the attention of the students, motivating them in the study of physics and helping them build significant knowledge. Based on this experience with the students, this paper relates a practical activity that can be implemented during a Hydrostatics class or as a laboratory activity. The activity is about measuring atmospheric pressure using a syringe and some other everyday objects. Covering the tip of the syringe, a bottle is hung from the stem and filled until the stem begins to descend at a constant speed. Once this is achieved, the mass of water used and the section of the syringe are measured, and the atmospheric pressure is calculated. Then some modifications are made in the way of proceeding to improve the precision of the measurements, and with these results are achieved with a very acceptable uncertainty considering the elements used. At the end of the course, a survey was carried out and 88% of the students who made comments about the classes highlighted the experiments as a positive experience with which a better understanding of the topics developed is achieved.

References

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Monteiro, M., Cabeza, C., Marti, A., Vogt, P. & Kuhn, J. (2014). Angular velocity and centripetal acceleration relationship. The Physics Teacher, 52(5), 312-313.

Calderón, S. E., Núñez, P., Di Laccio, J. L., y Lannelli, L. M. (2015). Aulas-laboratorios de bajo costo, usando TIC. Revista Eureka sobre Enseñanza y Divulgación de las Ciencias, 12(1), 212-226. DOI: 10498/16934

Gutiérrez, E. A. (2018). Experimentos cruciales de laboratorio y enriquecimiento conceptual en el aprendizaje de la física. Tesis de Maestría.

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Published

2023-12-01

How to Cite

Measurement of atmospheric pressure with simple elements in class. (2023). Journal of Physics Teaching, 35, 37-42. https://revistas.psi.unc.edu.ar/index.php/revistaEF/article/view/43262