Does air have mass?

Grades: Intermediate
Summary: A great lab for students using a balloon and triple-beam balance.

Problem:
Does air have mass?

Materials:
triple beam balance 9-12 inch balloon tape

Procedure:
Record the mass of the empty balloon on the data chart.
Blow the balloon up-tie it.
Tape it to the triple beam balance.
Record the mass of the balloon and air on the data chart.
Subtract the numbers.

Data
Mass of balloon with air_________
-Mass of empty balloon___________
=Mass of air in balloon___________

Conclusion:
Written by student.

Tips:
This works. You my wish students to have a variety of sizes of balloons and do a class graph on your board or overhead. Students do not believe air has mass-this shows them that it does. Be careful-students do not understand weight vs mass. I use it when studying the atmosphere.

Submitted by: Amy Spock mrs.spock@email-removed

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