Weather Stations: Temperature and Pressure

Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association

Children discover the relationship between temperature and pressure in the lower atmospheres of Jupiter and Earth. They chart the increasing temperature as they add pressure to a 2-liter soda bottle with a Fizz-Keeper Pump.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Some discussion questions may need to be adapted due to the fact that the Juno Mission has been launched and is currently still orbiting Jupiter (until July 2021 according to NASA). This demonstration is part of a [link https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/solar_system/activities/weatherStations/'"Weather Station"'] set, however, it can stand alone. The "My Trip to Jupiter" journal is not required to complete the activity, as there is a link to the relevant handout pages. However, if multiple activities from the series are going to be done the journal may be useful. Safety considerations with pressurized bottles should be highlighted before beginning the activity. The activity is easy to follow and includes facilitator notes and links to print student sheets. There is a 40 page Jupiter activity book with math, literacy, art, and science activities.
This hands-on experiment allows students to see what happens to air temperature as pressure increases. This relationship is discussed in the context of Earth's atmosphere and then expanded upon using Jupiter's atmosphere. Students also make a graph and interpret the relationship between temperature and pressure. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
Engaging, hands-on, small-group work. This experiment begins with asking introductory questions, then performing the experiment. After the experiment, discussion questions help elaborate upon the subject, by asking the students to make inferences about Jupiter's atmosphere. The student handout "My Trip to Jupiter Journal" can be used with this and related lessons on Jupiter.