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Questions for Discussion: Density and Buoyancy: Pouring Air into Water

  • In this video segment, what property of air kept it trapped in the upside down cup?
  • Was the air pushing the water away, or was something else happening? Explain.
  • If you hold a cup upside down in the air, is it empty or full? Explain.
  • If you hold an "empty" cup right-side-up in the air, what happens to the air inside the cup? Explain.
  • Experiment with pouring other liquids in water. Could you pour oil or corn syrup in water the way the ZOOM cast member was pouring air?