Newspaper Leverage

Materials Needed:

Twelve inch ruler
Two sheets of newspaper

What to Do:

Place ruler on edge of table so that it hangs over the edge by a couple inches.
Place the newspapers horizontally on top of the ruler. Make sure the long sides of the newspapers are even with the edge of the table.
Ask the children what they think will happen to the paper if you hit the end of the ruler with your hand.
After each child has made his/her guess, hit the ruler and see what happens. The paper shouldn't move.
Let the children take turns hitting the ruler. Explain to the children how the average rate of air pressure (at sea level) is 14 lbs. per square inch. This means there is about 4620 lbs. of pressure on the ruler.