Hovercraft

Question: How do different surface types (glossy, cork, sand, and gravel) affect how a hovercraft hovers. 

Hypothesis:  We think the hovercraft will preform similarly on different surfaces, but think it will go the farthest on a glossy surface.

Our Experiment

                   Materials: 

• Pop-top lid from a water bottle
• A CD or DVD disc
• A 9" balloon
• A hot glue gun
• Tape
• Straight pins

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Safety Procedures

 ​Be careful when using hot glue gun and straight pins.
​

Procedure:

Detail steps so anyone can reproduce this at school or home
Use a numbered list

1. Cover the center hole on the top side of the CD or DVD with a piece of tape and poke about 6 holes in the tape with a straight pin.
2. Use the hot glue gun to glue the cap to the top center of the CD or DVD disc, covering the center hole.
3. Blow up the balloon all the way and twist the neck of it.  (Don't tie it.)
4. Make sure the pop-top is closed and fit the neck of the balloon over the pop-up portion of the cap, keeping the neck of the balloon twisted.  (This usually is easier with 2 people.)
5. Then put the craft on a smooth surface and pop the top open and push the hovercraft.

Special Needs:                                         For our large hovercraft (see next section), we will need a long, smooth, (tiled or wooden) floor space.  We will also need an outlet for our hot glue guns.

The Science behind it
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The air flow created by the balloon causes a cushion of moving air between the disc and the surface.  This lifts the disc and reduces the friction which allows the disc to hover freely.    

​We are also going to:
​- try the hover craft on other surfaces to observe how it affects hovering.
​- provide a small table top air hockey table as an additional demonstration
​- create a diagram/drawing that demonstrates the flow of air and how it creates an air cushion
​- create a large hover craft that can carry a person
​- we will bring supplies so each team can create a table top hovercraft

Later on you can Add Graphs with results

Conclusions

In conclusion, our hypothesis was correct. It was correct because it preformed well on a glossy and cork surface.The air flows through the tape, creating a thin air cushion under it which reduces the friction.  As a result, the hovercraft will perform similarly when pushed over different surfaces (glossy or cork).

Jessica

 I am 10 years old and in 5th grade.  I have one older sister in 7th grade at SMS.  I love to dance and play the viola and piano.  My favorite subject in school is science.

Lydia

I am 10 years old and in 5th grade.  I have younger twin sisters in 3rd grade at SIS.  I love to dance and ride horses.  I also play the violin and electric guitar.  I have two adorable German Shepherds, two fish and two frogs.