Fun things to do indoors: How to make a Cartesian diver with a bottle of water
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As usual, the fun project for today is learning how to make a cartesian diver. We will learn how to control the movement of an object inside water by applying pressure (Cool right?!!)
This project is an example of fun things to do indoors. Keep reading to learn how this can be done.
Cartesian diver
A Cartesian diver is a classic scientific demonstration that shows the principles of buoyancy and pressure. It is a simple experiment that involves a small object, typically a figurine or a dropper, that appears to "dive" or sink in a closed container filled with water when pressure is applied.
The Cartesian diver consists of a small, sealed container (such as a plastic pipette or a medicine dropper) that is partially filled with water. A small object, such as a figurine or a glass marble, is placed inside the container, and the container is sealed. The container is then placed in a larger container filled with water. When pressure is applied to the larger container, either by squeezing it or by increasing the pressure in some other way, the small object in the smaller container sinks to the bottom.
The Cartesian diver is a fun and educational experiment that can be used to teach children about buoyancy and pressure. It can also be used to demonstrate the concept of density and how it affects the behavior of objects in liquids.
Material needed
A transparent plastic bottle.
Plastic straw.
Paper clips.
Scissors.
Ruler.
Water.
Steps to build our Cartesian diver
Step 1
Cut the straw to the length of say 5cm with scissors. (You can set aside the extra straw for future experiments)
Step 2
Fold the cut-out straw into two equal halves then secure the two ends with a paper clip.
Step 3
Attach another paper clip to the previous one to act as the tail - Your cartesian diver is ready.
Step 4
Fill the plastic bottle with water then drop your cartesian diver into the water in the plastic bottle and close the bottle with the lid.
Note: If your cartesian diver is made correctly, it should float to the surface of the water when the bottle is not squeezed.
Step 5 - Testing
Squeeze the plastic bottle to create pressure: You should see the cartesian diver inside sink down the bottle, then float back to the top when you release the bottle.
Play around with how much you squeeze the diver bottle and monitor how the straw moves up and down inside the bottle.
How does a Cartesian diver work
The science behind the Cartesian diver can be explained by the principles of buoyancy and pressure. Buoyancy is the upward force that a fluid exerts on an object that is submerged in it. The magnitude of this force depends on the volume of the object and the density of the fluid. Pressure is the force exerted per unit area and is equal in all directions in a fluid.
In the case of the Cartesian diver, the diver is initially floating at the surface of the water, with an air bubble trapped inside it. When pressure is applied to the container, the volume of the air bubble is compressed, which increases the density of the diver. This causes the diver to sink to the bottom of the container, as the upward buoyant force of the water is no longer enough to counteract the increased weight of the diver.
When the pressure is released, the compressed air bubble expands, which decreases the density of the diver. This causes the diver to rise to the surface of the water, as the buoyant force of the water is once again greater than the weight of the diver.
Troubleshooting
Your cartesian diver does not float when dropped inside the bottle - Try the following:
Increase the length of your straw.
A more paper clip (keep testing as you add a paper clip)
Insert your cartesian diver properly (tail-first) into the bottle.
Upgrade
You can upgrade the quality of your cartesian diver by making use of an "Eyedropper". An eyedropper is almost a perfect example of a good Cartesian diver.
All you need to do is:
Fill the eyedropper with water
Drop the eyedropper inside a cup of water (it should sink to the bottom of the cup and then float back out to the top - with the "rubber bulb" slightly above the surface of the water)
If the eyedropper does not float back to the top, adjust the water inside the eyedropper and keep trying.
Other cute things to make and hand-crafts for kids
If you are looking for more ideas for STEM projects to do with your kids, take a look at these other activities:
Online after-school and summer camps in Takoma Park Maryland
You and your children are looking for nice fun activities and learning new things and skills. Come join us starting in May and this summer for more online classes such as:
Python coding for kids and teens
Coding for elementary school students
Make video games
Electronics
Digital modeling (Create cars, rockets, rings, etc) for 3D printing
and much more
with the following link: Online after-schools
And the STEM summer camp for your kids is organized in Takoma Park Maryland nearby Washington DC to have fun and learn more about robotics, coding, droning, and more. Check the link right here:
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