Plan the investigation
What students will do
Compare the liquid levels, calculate a pressure difference, and test a denser measuring liquid.
- Reverse the pressure difference. Compare equal pressures, greater left pressure, and greater right pressure.
- Calculate from the levels. Use liquid density and the height difference to calculate the pressure difference.
- Change the measuring liquid. Double its density while keeping both chamber pressures fixed.
What students will learn
- Identify the higher-pressure side from liquid levels.
- Calculate a pressure difference using ΔP = ρgΔh.
- Explain how measuring-liquid density affects the height difference.
Common misconception
Is the higher liquid surface on the higher-pressure side?
Students reverse the chamber pressure difference and observe which surface moves lower.