Expanding and Contracting Gases: Weekly Science Activity

In this week's spotlight: a chemistry family science experiment that guides students and families in an exploration of how gases behave, especially when they are cooled or heated. Many gases are invisible, but they are everywhere around us. By trapping gas in a balloon, you can investigate how the kinetic energy of a gas changes in response to temperature and how the change in the motion of the gas molecules makes the balloon shrink or expand. With some hands-on measurements, a bit of air spent filling up some balloons, and some chill time for a few of the filled balloons, students can "see" what happens!

• Balloon Morphing: How Gases Contract and Expand (full Science Buddies Project Idea)
• Racing to Win That Checkered Flag: How Do Gases Help? (related Science Buddies Project Idea)
• Size-Changing Science: How Gases Contract and Expand (science activity at Scientific American)