The Ruben's Tube (also known as a Flame Tube) is a classic experiment used in physics classes. There's also a bit of chemistry to be learned while experimenting with a Ruben's Tube...
A few years ago, we launched a weather balloon during our summer science camp. The balloon reached an altitude of 30 km (100,000 ft)! Among other things, this project ended up being a great way to teach campers about the gas laws and how atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
The “bucket launch” is a fantastic experiment you can do if you have access to liquid nitrogen. Depending upon conditions, we have observed the bucket to launch anywhere from 80 to 160 feet high. See the video.
This demonstration shows the construction of of an eleven foot high barometer made with a concentrated solution of potassium tetraiodomercurate(II).
Comparing the densities of mercury, potassium tetraiodomercurate(II) solution, and water illustrates that barometers made from the three liquids have different heights.
The relationship between the volume of a gas and the pressure it exerts, known as Boyle's Law, is shown with a J-tube.
The construction of a Torricelli barometer is demonstrated.
A vacuum pump is used to fill a barometer with mercury.
Barometers of different shapes all have the same level of mercury.
The liquefaction of carbon dioxide is shown. In Part 1, dry ice is placed in a strong plastic tube and a pressure gauge is attached.
