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Bike Shop 3-5 / Week 10 / Tuesday
2/6
Week 10 · Fixing a Flat

Tuesday

Listen, feel and look
// Leak detectives at work
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: Listen, Feel and Look

A grown-up takes the tube out of Rocket's tire. Rocket squints at it. "I cannot see any hole!"

Raven holds the tube up to the light. "What do you notice? Is it too small to see?"

Nova hovers close and stays very quiet. "Your eyes are not your only tools," she says.

Rocket cups a hand by his ear. "Maybe I can hear it!"

Three ways to find a hole

A grown-up puts a little air in the tube.

Then you listen and feel for air coming out.

A tiny hole can make a soft hiss.

If you still cannot find it, a grown-up dunks the tube in water.

Bubbles rise right where the air leaks out.

When you find the hole, a grown-up draws a circle around it.

  1. A grown-up adds a little air to the tube.
  2. Listen near the tube for a hiss.
  3. Hold the back of your hand near the tube to feel air.
  4. If you cannot find it, a grown-up dunks the tube in water.
  5. Watch for bubbles.
  6. A grown-up marks the hole with a circle.
TRACK DOWN THE HOLE
  • ?Dunk the tube in water.
  • ?Circle the hole.
  • ?Listen and feel for air.
  • ?Put a little air in the tube.
  • ?Watch for bubbles.
WHY THIS EXERCISEAir first, then listen and feel, then water and bubbles, then mark it.
WHICH CLUE?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
You hear a soft hiss near the tube. What does it tell you?
Bubbles come up from one spot in the water. What is there?
Why does a grown-up circle the hole right away?

Leak test with a bag

Try it
Get a zip bag and seal some air inside.
A grown-up pokes one tiny hole with a pin.
Gently press the bag.
Move the back of your hand around the bag. Where do you feel air?
No bag? Blow gently on your hand. That is what leaking air feels like.
Safety first
A grown-up handles the pin.
Keep the bag away from your face and away from little kids.
Hold the bag near your hand, not your eyes.
For a grown-up
Poke one small hole near a corner of the bag.
Ask: how did you know where the hole was?
A tiny hole can make a soft ____.
In water, leaking air makes ____.

Super sleuthing! Tomorrow we hunt for the sharp thing that made the hole.

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