Keeping the kiddos entertained during these days of summer can create pressure. But the fact is, we are all under pressure, 14.7 pounds per square inch, to be exact! Yes, air is all around us and air pressure is an important science concept to learn about!
Atmospheric pressure is an indicator of weather. When a low-pressure system moves in, it usually leads to cloudiness, wind, and precipitation. High-pressure systems usually lead to fair, calm weather.
Have you ever made a trip to the mountains? If your ears popped, it was because they were trying to balance the pressure between the outside and inside of your ear. Atmospheric pressure drops as altitude increases. The atmospheric pressure on Denali, Alaska, is about half that of Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu is a city at sea level. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest peak in North America.
If you’ve flown on an airplane, the aircraft created artificial pressure in the cabin so you remain comfortable while flying high in the sky.
Now that you’ve paused to think about how important air pressure really is, read the Quirkles book Pressure Pete and then check out Pressure Pete’s Upside Down Water Bottle to learn more. Or try Pressure Pete's Vacuum and watch how the balloon is sucked into a wide-mouthed jar.
Finally, here's a reminder that you can read Pressure Pete, or any of the other Quirkles books, in Spanish if you subscribe to our Spanish e-book library. Whether it’s Pressure Pete or Pedro Presión, there’s plenty to learn about air pressure!
