Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft. A hovercraft is a vehicle sustained by an “air cushion” and moved by one or more propellers. It is able to move on different surfaces and can be able to move at speeds higher than 150 km / h. Made of industrial form or hobby in sizes from 2 meters in length up to 57 meters (hovercraft landing Russian Zubr Class).
It is used for amateur use, aid and military for his quick launch, speed and above all for its versatility in crossing surfaces of different composition. At the moment there is no worldwide regulations for the detailed definition of “air cushion vehicle”. The hovercraft was ranked second last invention in the transport sector, before space shuttle.
We build a model hovercraft.
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Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft
What do you need?
a CD,
a balloon,
a cap-type push-up (those of water bottles or detergent),
hot glue.
Eventually a clip to close bags for the freezer.
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Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft
What to do?
Glue the cap to the center hole of the CD with the hot glue, and keep it closed.
Prepare various balloons of different sizes, if we want to make several attempts and maybe recording observations.
Inflate a balloon, keep it closed by hand (or by using the clip) and insert it into the cap closed. Remove the clip, open the cap and observe.
When the cap is opened, the air exits from the balloon, runs through the stopper and goes under the CD causing the movement.
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Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft
What happens?
The CD has a very smooth surface, and then allows the air to be distributed uniformly below the disc itself; this air can lift the CD from the surface on which it rests.
This air layer that is formed between the disc and bearing surface greatly reduces friction between the two surfaces themselves and our hovercraft will slide with great ease.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
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Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft
Video
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Science experiments for children – Balloon hovercraft
Other links
http://www.sublimescience.com/free-science-experiments/how-to-make-a-cd-hovercraft/
http://www.scienceworld.ca/resources/activities/balloon-hovercraft
http://weirdsciencekids.com/Ballooncdhovercraft.html
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/balloon-hovercraft-science-project
http://sciencesquad.questacon.edu.au/
