Pool Plunge - Linear Relationship between Water Depth and Pressure
Recommended for grades 9–12.
Introduction
If you dive to the bottom of a swimming pool you will feel an increasing pressure on your eardrums as you descend. The deeper you dive, the more water there is above you to push down on your body and your eardrums, so the more pressure you experience. There is a simple mathematical relationship between your depth in the pool and the pressure you feel.
In this activity you will lower a section of tubing into a water-filled pipe and collect pressure readings at different depths with the use of a Gas Pressure Sensor. You will then find a model for your data and use this model to understand the relationship between depth and pressure.
Objectives
- Record pressure versus depth data for water.
- Model pressure versus depth data with a linear relationship.
- Interpret the slope and intercept of the linear model.
Sensors and Equipment
This activity requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Real-World Math with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.