======Straw Through a Potato======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Straw and Potato Trick
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Hold a potato in one hand.  
  - Try to push a straw straight into it - notice the straw bends.  
  - Now place your thumb over the open end of the straw.  
  - Push again—the straw goes into the potato without bending.



====Links==== 
Straw Through A Potato Experiment - Da Vinci Kids: 
{{youtube>iElOE1j0gcY?}}\\

How to Put a Straw Through a Potato - Cool Science Experiments Headquarters: 
{{youtube>FSznuT7aUz4?}}\\

📄 Straw Potato - KiwiCo: [[https://www.kiwico.com/diy/stem/quick-easy-experiments/straw-potato?srsltid=AfmBOopZ-ci_tuduEA3cUKsTKP_SxCHrJ8s9ZgRH_MgSnFxrDTCRil7p]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try with paper straws vs plastic straws.
  * Test what happens with half-full vs fully covered straws.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Keep fingers away from where the straw enters the potato to avoid pokes.  
  * Push firmly but not with excessive force.  
  * Supervise children to prevent accidents.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does covering the top make the straw stronger? (Air trapped inside is compressed, pushing outwards and stiffening the straw.)  
  * What type of pressure is being demonstrated? (Air pressure from trapped gas molecules.)  
  * How is this similar to how air supports objects like tires or balls? (The air inside presses outward, making flexible materials rigid and strong.)