How do pneumatics work?

Foot-pump While hydraulic power involves using liquid under pressure to make things move, pneumatic power involves using air under pressure.

Blowing up a balloon, using a foot pump or blowing a whistle are everyday examples of pneumatics.

Make a collection of things that work or move by using air being forced into them. Compare which is the most effective system.

Find a clean empty squeezy bottle, a washing up liquid bottle should work.
You will also need a length of tubing that fits over the nozzle at the top and a balloon.
Fix the tubing over the nozzle and secure so that no air can escape. Fix the balloon on the other end. See what happens to the balloon when you squeeze the squeezy bottle.
If you are trying this at school find two clean empty syringes and a length of tubing in the D&T trolley, that fits securely over each syringe nozzle. See what happens as you gently push the plunger in on one of the syringes.

Note. Do this too quickly and the other syringe will fly out at great speed so take care!

Now make some simple card hinges with folded card and by fixing one of the syringe plunger tops to the part of the card you can make it move up by pushing the other plunger in and down by pulling the other plunger out.
You could also try attaching a balloon to one end of the tubing and watch it rise and fall as it inflates and deflates. This is a simple pneumatic system.

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