Hooked on Science: Plunger power

It's something we find in the bathroom, but the toilet plunger isn't just for unclogging the toilet, it also can be used to help us better understand the weather.

Materials

• 2 toilet plungers

Instructions

STEP 1: Press the two plunger cups together.

STEP 2: Attempt to separate the plunger cups.

Explanation

Suction occurs when there is a difference in air pressure. You created this difference when you pressed the two plunger cups together. By doing this, you forced out the air from inside each plunger cup reducing the pressure from within, creating a low pressure system.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.