How Straws Function Each of us has used straws to sip soda, milk, or another liq

Question

How Straws Function

Each of us has used straws to sip soda, milk, or another liquid from a container. How do they function?

PROCEDURE

Obtain a clean, empty food jar with a screw-on lid. Fill the jar halfway with tap water.

Put the ends of two soda straws into your mouth. Place the other end of one of the straws into the water in the jar and allow the end of the other straw to remain in the air. Try to draw water up the straw by sucking on both straws simultaneously. Record your observations.

Using a hammer and nail, punch a hole of about the same diameter as that of a straw in the lid of the jar. Push the straw 2 to 3 cm into the hole and seal the straw in position with wax or clay.

Fill the jar to the brim with water, and carefully screw the lid on so that no air enters the jar. Try to draw the water up the straw. Record your observations.

ANALYSIS

Explain your observations in step 2.

Explain your observations in step 4.

Explain how a soda straw functions.

Explanation / Answer

Functioning of straw: When a liquid is sucked through a straw, air pressure inside container isn reduced, keeping the pressure on the liquid surface greater. This greater pressure, pushes the air down, which in turn helps in pulling of liquid up from the straw in the mouth.

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