Experi rnent St
Gas Laws and
J
tlrinking Straws
Problem
Why can we drink through a straw?
Introduction
You have probably used drinking straws many times, but have you wondered how they work? In
this lab we will investigate the science behind the drinking straw.
Prelaboratory Assignment
{
r'
Read the entire experiment before you begin.
Answer the Prelaboratory Question.
1. Read Section 13.1 in your text and explain how a barometer works in your own words.
Materials
Preforrn
Modeling clay
cup
Straws
Transparent tape
Procedure
J
Part L
1. Fill
2.
a preform
with water. Put a drinking straw into the preform and use clay to seal the opening.
Try to drink the water. Record your observations. Are you able to drink the water?
Part2
l.
Half fill a cup with water. Place the ends of two drinking straws in your mouth.
2.
Submerge the other end of one straw into the water, and leave the other straw out of the water
(on the side of the cup).
3.
Try to drink the water. Record your observations. Are you able to drink the water?
Part 3
1.
Detetmine the maximum number of straws you can connect together end to end and still drink
water. Record this number (Note: you may have to tape the straws together).
2. Measure and record the height.
Part
8.
J
4
Place a drinking straw vertically into a cup that is half-filled with water. Place your finger over
the opening of the straw and take the straw out of the water. What happens? Make and record
sareful cbservations.
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Mffiin
Company
AII rights reserved.
Cleaning Up
l.
Return all materials to their proper locations'
wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
2.
\=
Analysis and Conclusions
either on your Report Sheet or
Complete the Anatysis and Conclusions section for this experiment
in your lab report as directed by your teacher'
Explain your results to Part l.
Explain your results to Part 2.
3. Compare your number of straws and heights from 1"1 I with those of other groups'
Whyis there a limit to the number of straw through which you can drink?
5. What is the maximum theoretical height through *tti"tt you can drink? Why can't you drink
from this height?
6. Explain your results to Part 4.
7, Why can we drink through a straw?
1.
2.
/.
Something Extra
out an experiment to answer this
Does the diameter of a drinking straw affect the results? carry
ouestion.
\
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t64
Copyright
@
Mffiin Company
All rights reserYed.
Houghton