CHAPTER 6 : AIR PRESSURE 6.1 AIR PRESSURE 1.

Air has mass and it exerts pressure on the surfaces of all objects. 2. Air has particles that are continually moving and colliding with things on Earth. These collisions produce air pressure or atmospheric pressure. Kinetic Theory of Gas A gas consists of many particles which are ________________ from each other. The particles move freely in all ____________________ . The particles continuously collide with the each other and the walls of the container at all time. A force is exerted by the particles on the walls of the container. The force produces a _______________ on the walls of the container.

3. Factors that affect the air pressure: a) Volume of air b) Temperature of air Factor Volume Relationship Explanation

Temperature

Gas pressure increases when: 1. The number of gas particles is increased (adding gas) 2. The volume of the container is decreased (gas is compressed) 3. The gas is heated

4. Features of air pressure are: a) It acts in all directions b) It changes from one place to another c) The higher the altitude, the lower is the air pressure.

5. Examples of air pressure: The cardboard will stay in place when the hand is removed as air pressure pushes the cardboard against the mouth of the glass.

Sucking the straw will reduce air pressure in the box while the higher air pressure crushes the wall of the box.

When the steam in the can is cooled, the air pressure in the can reduces. The higher pressure outside crashed the can.

Pumping air out of the bottle reduces the pressure in it and causes the balloon to expand.

6.2 APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF AIR PRESSURE 1. Devices that use the principle of air pressure: a) Suction pump to unblock a clogged sink or pipe b) Rubber suckers - to hang objects c) Drinking straw - to suck up liquid from a container d) Dropper to transfer small amount of liquid e) Syringe for sucking liquid in and then forcing it out in a small stream f) Spraying pump to release liquid as a spray of tiny droplets g) Siphon to transfer water from a container at a higher level to a container at a lower level

Dropper

Drinking straw

Rubber sucker

Spraying Pump

Syringe

2. Using the principle of air pressure to solve daily problems: a) Clearing a blocked pipe - When the suction pump is pushed down, the air inside is pushed out, leaving a low pressure area. - The higher air pressure outside presses on the rubber cup and makes it stick to the surface of the sink. - When the suction pump is pulled upwards, the higher pressure inside the pipe pushes out the dirt that clogged it.

b) Pouring condensed milk - Air pressure that pushes air into one hole will also push the milk out of the other hole. - Two holes need to be punched on a milk tin before the contents can be poured out.

3. Gas under high pressure a) Gas will become liquid under high pressure and when it is cooled. b) The liquid becomes gas again when the pressure is released from the container. c) This enables gas to be stored easily as it reduces storage space, has more content and easily transported. d) Examples: i. Gas cylinders - Petroleum gas or natural gas is compressed to become liquid in a gas tank or cylinder - Other gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nitrogen are also stored in cylinders for industrial use ii. Aerosol cans - Insecticides, perfume, hair sprays and paints are stored under high pressure in aerosol can. - When the pressure is released by pressing on the knob, the liquid comes out as a spray. e) Safety precautions when using gas cylinders: i. Place the gas containers upright ii. Do not place the tank near a heat source iii. Never dispose a used aerosol can in a fire iv. Do not smoke near the gas cylinder