Alpha science classroom：How Do We Breathe? DIY lung model Materials

We breathe air all the time. Our lungs take in fresh oxygen and exhale to remove carbon dioxide (waste products produced by the body). So how do lungs work? Today, Alpha Science Classroom uses simple children's physical science experiments to teach kids how to easily discover the secrets of air flowing in and out of their lungs using a DIY lung model. Through these simple kids' science experiments, the Alpha Science toys classroom will explain the scientific knowledge of human biology and physical pressure to children, so that children have a better understanding of our organs.

Alpha science classroom：How Do We Breathe? DIY lung model Materials

• Disposable empty transparent bottle (10-16 fluid ounces) made of hard plastic (such as a sports drink bottle)

• Ruler

• Two balloons (8-inch balloons work well)

• Utility knife (have adult help and use caution when using the knife)

• Adult helper

• Scissors

• Drinking straw (optional)

• Modeling clay (optional)

• Tape (optional)

• Additional balloon (optional)

Alpha science classroom：How Do We Breathe? DIY lung model Preparatio

Step 1: Children ask adults for help to cut the plastic bottle. Cut the bottom of the bottle so that when the balloon hangs from the mouth, there is approximately 1/3 to 3/4 inch of space below the balloon.

Children need to put the cut bottles on the wide opening. Put the balloon in the bottle until only part of the neck of the balloon sticks out. Fold the neck of the balloon over the top of the bottle. The balloon represents the lungs.

Step 2: Children need to turn the bottle over (keep the balloon inside) so that the top of the bottle can be placed on the table. In the next steps, the children will create the diaphragm and add it to the model.

Step 3: Children need to tie a knot around the neck of the second balloon. On the other side of this balloon, about one-third of the balloon is cut off, so your opening is large.

Step 4: Children need to stretch the wide opening of the cut balloon to the bottle's wide opening. Pull the edge of the balloon far enough above the bottle to gently stretch the surface of the balloon. Ensure that the knot is on the outside and near the middle of the bottle's opening.

Step 5: Just like an inflated balloon, our lungs are filled with air. We have two lungs, which are enclosed in the chest cavity and protected by 24 ribs. When you inhale, air flows into your lungs. When you exhale, air will flow out of your lungs. The balloon inside the bottle is like one of your lungs. The bottle is like your chest cavity.

Alpha science classroom：How Do We Breathe? DIY lung model observations and results

The alpha science classroom tells children that when you pull the knot back, the space inside the bottle increases and the balloon may be filled with air. Similarly, when the diaphragm in our body is pulled back, the chest cavity enlarges, air flows into our lungs, and we inhale.

When children push the knot in, the space inside the bottle will decrease and the balloon may deflate. Similarly, when the diaphragm relaxes, the chest cavity is reduced, the air is expelled from the lungs, and we exhale.

When the knot is pulled further, the balloon will expand and deflate more. This reflects what happens when we expel a lot of air when we breathe deeper.

This dynamic effect is due to the action of air pressure, which is a measure of the pressure that air exerts on an object. Reducing the amount of air space increases the air pressure while giving more space to the air reduces the air pressure. Close a fragile empty plastic bottle and try to compress it. It's hard! The air inside pushes back. Open the bottle and try to compress the bottle again. This is much easier. The air presses back with a greatly reduced force. Unless something obstructs movement, the air will move from the high-pressure area to the lower pressure area. This is what happens when the air rushes into or out of the lungs. When the chest cavity expands, there will be more space around your lungs. In this case, the lungs can expand, making it a low-pressure area, and air rushes in to balance the pressure difference. Then breathe until the chest cavity and lungs contract. This will increase the air pressure in your lungs, and then the air will rush out.

Well, today, Alpha Science Classroom's kid's physical science experiments are over. According to the above methods, children can try to make a lung model do some simple kids' science experiments to learn the working principle of the lung and become the most powerful "biologist".

Children, if you want to know more secrets of science, Welcome to the world of Alpha science toys for kids to select your favorite science kits and discover more scientific mysteries.