DIY: Pressure Tap | Tinkerer Box Blog

DIYs » Stem Activities » Marvelous Mechanics Motion » Age 9 - 12 » Pressure Tap

Pressure Tap

Stem Activities

Ages: 9-12

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Create a mini pressure-controlled tap using just two straws and a water bottle! Control the water flow by adjusting the air pressure inside the bottle.

Materials Needed

Water
Glass bowl
Plastic bottle
Hot glue gun
Two 15cm straws
Pencil
Plasticine
Scissors
Ruler

An assortment of craft supplies is laid out on a light wood grain table. The items include a glass of water, an empty clear plastic bottle, two colorful straws or sticks (one orange, one red), a pencil, a pair of scissors, a clear plastic ruler, a yellow hot glue gun, and a small lump of teal or blue-green modeling clay or putty. These materials appear ready for use in a DIY or crafting project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Place the plasticine underneath the bottle cap.

Two hands hold a white plastic bottle cap filled with a turquoise or teal-colored putty or modeling clay. The hands are positioned against a light wood grain background. They appear to be pressing or shaping the putty within the cap.

Step 2

Use the sharp end of the pencil to make a straw-sized hole in the centre of the bottle cap.

Step 3

Use scissors to make a straw-sized hole in the middle of the bottle.

Two hands are positioned on a light wood grain background. One hand holds a clear, empty plastic bottle while the other hand holds a pair of black scissors. The scissors are positioned against the bottle, seemingly about to cut it, suggesting a stage in a crafting or DIY project using recycled materials.

Step 4

Take one straw and cut an 8cm length from it.

An 8cm long orange stick or dowel lies horizontally on a light wood grain background. Lines and the label 8cm indicate its measurement.

Step 5

Insert the 8cm straw into the hole made in the bottle.

Two hands hold a clear, empty plastic bottle and a small orange stick against a light wood grain background. One hand holds the bottle while the other positions the orange stick horizontally across the middle section of the bottle. This suggests measuring or marking for a craft or DIY project.

Step 6

Use the hot glue gun to secure the straw to the bottle. Wait patiently for the glue to cool and set. Be careful with the hot glue to avoid burns.

Two hands work with a clear, empty plastic bottle and a yellow hot glue gun on a light wood grain background. An orange stick is attached horizontally across the middle of the bottle. One hand holds the bottle while the other applies hot glue from the glue gun to secure the stick. This image depicts a step in a crafting or DIY project.

Step 7

Insert the other 15cm straw into the hole in the bottle cap.

Two hands hold a red plastic drinking straw and a white plastic bottle cap on a light wood grain background. The straw is inserted through the bottle cap, creating an axle-like assembly. This suggests a stage in constructing a simple toy or craft project.

Step 8

Next, firmly cover the opening of the straw in the bottle with your finger. Pour water into the bottle and quickly screw the cap on tight. Make sure the vertical straw is below the bottle straw before removing your finger. Ask an adult for help if this is difficult to do alone.

A clear plastic bottle, partially filled with water, has a small orange stick protruding from its side. A hand pours more water into the bottle from a clear glass container. A clear glass bowl sits on the light wooden table surface near the bottle. In the background, a red straw is inserted through a white plastic bottle cap. This scene appears to demonstrate a science experiment or DIY project, possibly exploring concepts like water flow or pressure.

Step 9

Your pressure bottle is now complete. Place the glass bowl under the horizontal straw, then pull the vertical straw in the cap upwards until its opening is higher than the horizontal straw, and water will flow out. Try to figure out different ways to control the water flow.

A clear plastic bottle, partially filled with water, stands on a light wooden table next to an empty clear glass bowl. A red drinking straw is inserted into the bottle's opening. An orange straw is inserted horizontally through the side of the bottle. A hand gently squeezes the bottle. Water flows out of the orange straw and into the bowl. The video demonstrates a simple science experiment, likely illustrating the principles of air pressure and siphoning.

The Science Behind It:

Initially, the air pressure inside and outside the bottle is equal, preventing water from flowing out (and air from entering). When you pull the vertical straw out of the water, air rushes in and increases the pressure, pushing the water out through the horizontal straw!

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