What is the science behind a Cartesian diver?
What is the Science? When you squeeze the bottle, you are forcing water up into the bendy straw which compresses the air that is trapped inside. This results in enough of an increase in density that the cartesian diver will sink to the bottom. Releasing the bottle decreases the pressure on the diver.
What is the purpose of the Cartesian diver experiment?
A Cartesian diver or Cartesian devil is a classic science experiment which demonstrates the principle of buoyancy (Archimedes’ principle) and the ideal gas law.
Why does a Cartesian diver sink when you squeeze it?
The reason the diver sinks when you squeeze the bottle is because the pressure exerted on the water collapses the sides of the pipette. Squeeze the bottle and watch how the sides of the pipette cave inward. This decreases the volume of the diver.
What does the Cartesian diver demonstrate about Archimedes Principle?
A Cartesian Diver is a closed system used to demonstrate Archimedes’ Principle. Cartesian divers are made with an air bubble, which causes them to just float when placed in water. In a sealed bottle of water, the Cartesian diver will just float at the surface.
What do you need for a Cartesian diver?
Materials for Cartesian Diver
- Empty plastic 1-liter or 2-liter bottle with a lid.
- Graduated pipette.
- Hex nut (Depending on the size of your pipette)
- Scissors.
- Optional: Sharpies to decorate your bottle and dropper.
- Optional: To make a squiddy diver- electrical tape and disposable plastic glove.
How do you make a Cartesian diver experiment?
Fit two metal nuts to the bottom of the cut pipette (or add plasticine to the pen cap). Fill the bottle with water all the way to the brim. Float the cut pipette in the water and adjust the weight to allow it to float. Close the bottle and tighten the lid.
What law does the Cartesian diver follow?
Boyle’s Law
Cartesian Diver’s are an example of Boyle’s Law. Basically Boyle’s Law says that the volume and pressure of a gas (like air) is inverse. Meaning that when you increase one, the other decreases. Increase volume, pressure decreases or increase pressure, volume decreases.
What gas law is the Cartesian diver experiment?
How do you do a cartesian diver experiment?
Who is the cartesian diver named after?
scientist René Descartes
The Cartesian Diver, named for the scientist René Descartes who is said to have invented the toy, is an object that ordinarily floats but sinks when it is under pressure.
What can you use to make a cartesian diver?
The Cartesian Diver sinks or floats when gas pressure (and volume) change inside the diver. A Cartesian Diver can be made using any object that contains air, can be compressed to reduce the volume of air, and can have ballast attached. (Ballast is weight in addition to the weight of the diver itself.)
What gas law is the cartesian diver?