6.

2 Application of the Principle of Air Pressure

Success Criteria:
O Explain with examples things that

use the principle of air pressure O Generate ideas to solve problems using the principle of air pressure O Relate the safety to measures taken when using gas under high pressure

Appliances that use the principle of air pressure

O Syringe
O Drinking with a straw O Rubber sucker

O Spraying pump
O Siphoning water out O Vacuum cleaner

O Foot pump

Syringe
When the piston is pulled up, the atmospheric pressure inside the cylinder will decrease. The atmospheric pressure outside pushes the liquid up into the syringe.

Drinking with a straw

When a person suck through the straw, the pressure in the straw become low. The atmospheric pressure outside which is higher will force the water into the straw and consequently into the mouth.

Rubber sucker

When the sucker is pressed into place, the air inside is forced out. The sucker is held in position by the high atmospheric pressure on the outside surface.

Vacuum cleaner The atmospheric pressure which is higher in magnitude, forces the air and duct particles into the cleaner.

When a vacuum cleaner is switched on, it sucks out the air inside the cleaner, causes the pressure inside the cleaner become low.

Siphoning Water Out

Using The Principle Of Air Pressure To Solve Daily Problem

O Air pressure is strong, and it

exists all around us.

O We can utilise the principle of

air pressure when we understand it and it can benefit our lives.

Activity
O How blockage in the

drainage pipe of a sink can be removed

O How to pour condensed

milk out of a can

Gas under High Pressure

O Gas tanks containing gas under high

pressure are used in various places such as hospitals, factories, and vehicle workshops.
O Large quantities of gas usually stored

in liquid form in strong metal cylinder.

O Small quantities of gas can be stored

in small aerosol cans.

O All

these gases are stored under high pressure and liquefied.

O Liquefied gas can be turn into gas again

once the pressure is release.

O Example of gases that are used in large

quantities in many industries :

A) Hydrogen is used for welding and as a

rocket fuel.
B) Oxygen is used in hospitals, diving, welding

and rocket fuel.

C) Carbon dioxide is used in fire extinguishers and

manufacturing of dry ice

D) Nitrogen is used to store fish at low temperature

and in cooling system.

E) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is used as fuel in

homes and vehicles

O An

aerosol contains vapour under high pressure. This pressurised vapour acts as a propelling agent in driving the liquid contents out of the can as a spray.

O Aerosols cans are mostly used to store and

spray insecticides, perfumes, hair sprays, paints and etc.

O In motor workshops, air under high pressure

is used to drive a wrench in loosening tight screws or nuts.

O A jet of air released at high speed is used to

blow dust or water from engine parts.

Safety Measure When Using Gas Under high Pressure.

O Do not place the tank near the

heat source
O Always place the tank upright

O Do not dispose of aerosol can in a

fire