Microscale Cartesian Diver Activities

Authors

John J. Mauch

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Because air has weight, it exerts pressure. The air in a room can weigh as much as 100 kilograms, which is the weight of a large person. Air can also be compressed into small containers, such as those used by underwater divers. Teachers can construct several toys called Cartesian divers which will rise and fall exactly as a diving bell does. The toys are called "Cartesian" because the principle of moving diving machines by air pressure was first explained by Rene Descartes, a 16th century mathematician. This exercise is divided up into four parts: "A Cartesian Retriever," "The Cartesian Helicopter," "A Cartesian Counter" and "Cartesian Basketball."

Publication Date

Winter 1991-92

Journal Title

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Volume

28

Issue

3

First Page

12

Last Page

16

Copyright

© Copyright 1991 by the Iowa Academy of Science

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Mauch, John J. (1991) "Microscale Cartesian Diver Activities," Iowa Science Teachers Journal: Vol. 28: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj/vol28/iss3/4