Creating a Dome of Water
In this simple activity, we'll see how air pressure contributes to the creation of the storm surge in a hurricane.
1 glass bowl The top of the bowl should be small enough to be covered by a single piece of plastic food wrap.
Packing tape
Water at room temperature
12" piece of fishing line
Fill the mixing bowl 3/4 full of water. Let is sit and reach room temperature.
Cut a piece of plastic wrap that is large enough to sit on top of the surface of the water, cover all sides of the bowl, and drape over the sides of the bowl. The goal is to have the plastic wrap serve as a seal on the surface of the water and the sides of the bowl. You should have enough plastic wrap to press against the sides of the bowl and up over the rim. Again, the plastic wrap could form a thin covering directly on the surface of the water without any air pockets. The wrap should also be directly against the sides of the glass bowl and over the rim to make a tight seal. You might need to seal the plastic wrap with packing tape around the sides of the bowl.
Using a several pieces of packing tape, tape the fishing line in the center of the water/plastic wrap. You are going to want to pull up GENTLY.
Slowly pull up on the fishing line. You will see the plastic wrap rise and the water come up with it. This simulates the dome of water that forms in a hurricane. However, the dome (or storm surge) is a much larger area.