Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults.
Floating ping pong ball
Physics
Get a ping pong ball to float in the air stream from a hair dryer. This experiment shows how Bernouille's principle works.
| Gilla: | Dela: | |
Video
Materials
- 1 ping pong ball
- 1 hair dryer
Step 1
Step 2
Explanation
This experiment illustrates Bernouille's principle. The principle states that the faster air moves over an object, the less the air pushes on the object (the air pressure is lower). Bernouille's principle explains how the ping pong ball remains in the air stream above the hair dryer. When the ball is in the air stream, it's surrounded by air with low air pressure. But if the ball tries to leave the air stream, it instead encounters the stagnant air around it. Since this air is stationary, it has a higher air pressure, i.e. pushes harder on the ball, and pushes the ball back into the air stream where the air pressure is low. The reason why the ball is also kept at a certain height is that the upward pressure of the air flow at that height balances the gravitational force on the ball.Experiment
You can turn this demonstration into an experiment. This will make it a better science project. To do that, try answering one of the following questions. The answer to the question will be your hypothesis. Then test the hypothesis by doing the experiment.- How much can you tilt the hair dryer without the ball falling down?
- How fast can you move the hair dryer sideways without the ball falling down?
- How many balls can you get in the air at one time?
- What other objects can you get to float above the hair dryer?
Variations
You will get a lovely fountain of toilet paper if you put a toilet roll on a stick and place it above the hair dryer (you need a very strong hair dryer). Then take the empty toilet roll, place it above a floating ping pong ball and see how the ball is sucked up through the toilet roll!
| Gilla: | Dela: | |
Similar
Latest
Content of website
© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
To the top
© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
To the top
