Is the glass half full or half empty?

Source: Half Full Half Empty, Melanie, Clker

This question is often posed to determine how you view the world. A person who says the glass is half full is considered to be an optimistic person, or a person who sees the best in a situation. A person who answers that the glass is half empty is considered to be a pessimistic person, or a person who sees the worst in a situation.

If you answered this question literally and in terms of science, the answer would be that the glass is completely full. It is half full of water and half full of air. In other words, it is full of matter.

What is matter? Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space. What about air? How can that be matter if you cannot see it?

Let’s try this simple experiment to prove that air is defined as matter. Copy the following data table into your notes, and then follow the directions to complete the experiment.

Click on the Begin button to begin the animation.

The difference in the mass and measurements of the balloon proves that air is matter. It proves that air takes up space and has mass.