Getting Low Pressure

Things to remember 

• As air moves it becomes less dense
• Next to every low pressure area there is an area of high pressure
• When an area of un-contained air moves faster it has less pressure
• Air rushes into a low pressure system

Station 1: 

1. Place the ruler on the edge of the table with about 1/3 of it hanging off the edge
2. Gently tap the edge of the ruler that is hanging off the table

Is the air pressing down  on the ruler (air pressure) enough to  stop the ruler from falling?
    
     3. Place the ruler back on the table with 1/3 hanging off the edge
     4. Now place a sheet of newspaper on the ruler so that it cover the part that is on the table
     5. Gently tap the edge of the ruler that is hanging off the table

Was it easier or harder to make the ruler fall?
How does the newspaper  effect the amount of air pressure?
Which pressure system did you create, high pressure or low pressure?
Where did you create it?

Station 2:

1. Hold the paper by one of the short sides directly below your mouth
2. Blow across the top of the paper

Describe what happen to the paper.
Which pressure system did you create, high or low?
Where did you create it?

Station 3:

1.  Watch the air trapped inside the glass bowl.

Which system did we create, high or low?
What happened inside the bowl?
 
Station 4:

1. Go to http://www.usatoday.com/graphics/weather/gra/gsurge/flash.htm
2. Play flash video about storm surge

What does the movie compare the eye of a hurricane to?
What are the two causes of storm surges?
Why aren't storm surges a problem when the storms are out at sea?
Why do storm surges cause problems near shore?