Science experiment: Tough newspaper

Here's an experiment that uses this newspaper to show you the wowing properties of air pressure.

Ingredients

• Newspaper
• Table
• Ruler

Instructions

• STEP 1: Place the ruler on the table allowing about 3 inches of the ruler to hang over the edge.
• STEP 2: Spread two pieces of newspaper over the ruler. Do not allow any of the newspaper to hang off the table. The newspaper should be even with the edge of the table. The ruler should be under the two sheets of paper and in the middle of the paper.
• STEP 3: Using your hand strike the part of the ruler that is hanging over the edge of the table.

Explanation

The newspaper does not budge due the all the air pushing down on the paper. About 15 pounds of air pressure pushes down for every inch of newspaper.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator for the Bootheel Youth Museum. Check out his science blog Hooked On Science at jasonthescienceguysblog.blogspot.com for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him you science questions at jlindsey@bootheelyouthmuseum.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.