Pressure, Winds, Storms, and Cyclones: common misconceptions

If your child says… “The narrow end adds extra force.”

Ask together

Did turning the eraser make your push stronger?

What’s true

A smaller contact area increases pressure without adding force.

If your child says… “I divide the area by the force.”

Ask together

Should spreading the same force over more area make pressure larger or smaller?

What’s true

The force goes above the area when calculating pressure.

If your child says… “Water pushes hardest near the surface.”

Ask together

When did the stream reach farther: with more water above the hole, or less?

What’s true

Water pressure increases with depth below the surface.

If your child says… “Air only pushes down.”

Ask together

What pushes the can's side walls inwards?

What’s true

Air pushes upwards, downwards and sideways.

If your child says… “Faster air must have higher pressure.”

Ask together

Which side must press harder to push the roof upwards?

What’s true

Fast wind over this roof lowers pressure above it.

If your child says… “Thunder is clouds banging together.”

Ask together

What happens to the air along the lightning path?

What’s true

Thunder comes from air expanding suddenly after lightning heats it.

If your child says… “My umbrella protects me from lightning.”

Ask together

Does opening an umbrella put you inside an enclosed shelter?

What’s true

Keeping rain off does not make an umbrella a safe lightning shelter.

If your child says… “Only the wind causes damage.”

Ask together

Where could seawater go after crossing the beach?

What’s true

Seawater flooding and heavy rain can damage places far inland.