You push down on a sealed syringe filled with air. What happens?
AThe air disappears because you pushed it out
BThe air compresses into a smaller space and pushes back against your thumb
CThe air turns into a liquid because of the pressure
DNothing happens — air cannot be squeezed
Gases can be compressed — squeezed into a smaller volume. When you push the plunger, the air particles are forced closer together. They push back, which is why you feel resistance. The air does not disappear or change state; it just takes up less space temporarily.
Question 2 True / False
An empty glass turned upside down has very little inside it.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
False. An 'empty' glass is actually full of air. You can prove this by pushing the upside-down glass straight into water — the trapped air keeps the water from filling the glass. If the glass were truly empty, water would rush right in.
Question 3 Short Answer
How can you prove that air takes up space?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Push an upside-down cup straight down into a bowl of water. The air trapped inside the cup keeps the water from filling the cup, proving the air is taking up space.
This classic experiment shows that air is real matter occupying space. The water cannot enter the cup because the air is already there. If you tilt the cup, air bubbles escape and water rushes in to take the air's place.