High-Altitude Hero’s Fountains
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
We have followed the diagram to make the Hero’s Fountain and the directions. We are having problems making the water ascend the third tube. We live in Bozeman, Mt where the altitude is about 5400 feet above sea level. Does this altitude affect our science experiment? Is there a remedy? Thanks!
- Britt (age 13)
Bozeman, Mt
- Britt (age 13)
Bozeman, Mt
A:
Britt -
At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower than it is at sea level. This means that the air will have to ’squish’ together a little bit more before it starts to push any water out. For you, this means that you may need to pour even more water into the funnel at the top before any water will start to come up the third tube.
If you’ve already tried this, then the most likely problem I can think of is that all of your connections aren’t air tight. If the connections aren’t air tight, then air will escape through them and the fountain won’t work. Try using some putty or sticky tack around the connections to seal them up better.
You can also take a look at this answer: .
Good luck!
-Tamara
At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower than it is at sea level. This means that the air will have to ’squish’ together a little bit more before it starts to push any water out. For you, this means that you may need to pour even more water into the funnel at the top before any water will start to come up the third tube.
If you’ve already tried this, then the most likely problem I can think of is that all of your connections aren’t air tight. If the connections aren’t air tight, then air will escape through them and the fountain won’t work. Try using some putty or sticky tack around the connections to seal them up better.
You can also take a look at this answer: .
Good luck!
-Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)