Hovercraft & Friction Experiment

If you happen to have an old CD disc and a balloon, what will you do with it?

In our house, our first reaction was, “Let’s do a science experiment!”

“Sure”, I said. I remember I’ve seen an experiment using these two items to make a balloon hovercraft. But my daughter said we would need some strong glue (hot glue) and a special type of bottle cap which we didn’t have.

I’m not a big fan of complicated projects, especially ones that involve hot glue! So I came up with a simplified version. It doesn’t look as “professional” but it provides just as much fun.

What you need

• CD disc
• unused balloon
• some sort of bottle cap that has an open/close mechanism

Steps

1. Using packing tape, securely tape the bottle cap onto the CD. When you tug on the cap gently, there should not be a gap between the cap and the CD.

1. Close the cap’s opening.
2. Blow up the balloon and hold its opening with one hand.
3. With the other hand, wrap the balloon’s over the cap’s opening and then let go.
4. Place the hovercraft on a flat surface.
5. When you’re ready, push the cap open so the balloon can deflate through underneath the CD’s hole.
6. Give it a gentle push to set it off.
7. You just created a balloon hovercraft! It can slide across the floor fast and far.

Why

Friction is the force created when two objects move across each other to oppose the movement. An object gliding on the floor stops because of friction. When friction is reduced, a gliding object moves faster, farther and for longer.

This balloon hovercraft can fly across the floor because air has less friction than the floor. When pressurized air escapes from the hole on the CD, it creates a layer of air cushion beneath the CD. So the hovercraft glides on air instead of the floor and it can go much faster and farther than if you just push a CD alone.

A real hovercraft and an I love this Pamela. My kids (11 and 9) have suddenly shown a real interest in science experiments. I’m going to try this one with them. Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays. It’s a real pleasure to meet you. I’m featuring your post at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you again.

Anne @ Domesblissity

","pageUrl":"http://www.rookieparenting.com/hovercraft-friction-experiment/","id":0,"text":"I love this Pamela. My kids (11 and 9) have suddenly shown a real interest in science experiments. I’m going to try this one with them. Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays. It’s a real pleasure to meet you. I’m featuring your post at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you again.
Anne @ Domesblissity","type":"post"},{"date":"Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:12:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Pamela Li says","diffbotUri":"post|3|1253380911","html":"

Thank you so much, Anne! I’ll be sure to join your party tomorrow!

","pageUrl":"http://www.rookieparenting.com/hovercraft-friction-experiment/","id":1,"text":"Thank you so much, Anne! I’ll be sure to join your party tomorrow!","type":"post","parentId":0},{"date":"Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:15:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Mama Munchkin (@globalmunchkins) says","diffbotUri":"post|3|-1478572408","html":"

Can’t wait for my boys to try this… they will love it!!

","pageUrl":"http://www.rookieparenting.com/hovercraft-friction-experiment/","id":2,"text":"Can’t wait for my boys to try this… they will love it!!","type":"post"},{"date":"Tue, 16 Aug 2016 14:53:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Lauren says","diffbotUri":"post|3|1024332633","html":"

what a cool experiment! My kids would love this!

Original article and pictures take http://www.rookieparenting.com/hovercraft-friction-experiment/ site