Aerosol Physics
Students investigate how particles of different sizes behave in air, from settling rates to suspension dynamics, building foundations for understanding air filtration and respiratory protection.
5
Lessons
5
Class Periods
Low
Materials Cost
3
NGSS Standards
Essential Question
How do particles behave in air, and why does particle size matter for our health and for air cleaning?
Lessons
-
1→The Invisible World of Aerosols
-
2→Size Matters: PM10, PM2.5, and Beyond
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3→Settling vs. Suspension
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4→Sources of Indoor Particles
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5→Particle Investigation Lab
Key Concepts
Particle Size Categories
- PM10: ≤ 10 micrometers
- PM2.5: ≤ 2.5 micrometers
- Ultrafine: < 0.1 micrometers
- Human hair: ~70 micrometers
Particle Behavior
- Large particles settle quickly
- Small particles stay suspended
- PM2.5 can float for hours
- Air currents keep particles moving
Indoor Sources
- Cooking (especially frying)
- Candles and incense
- Cleaning and dusting
- Pets and human activity
Why Size Matters
- Smaller = deeper into lungs
- PM2.5 reaches alveoli
- Harder to filter small particles
- Carry more surface chemistry
Standards Alignment
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| MS-PS1-1 | Develop models to describe atomic composition of simple molecules |
| MS-PS2-4 | Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive |
| MS-ESS2-4 | Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy and gravity |
| 6.EE.A.2 | Write, read, and evaluate expressions with variables |