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Forces and Motion Science Fair Project

Balloon-Powered Cardboard Hovercraft

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Balloon-Powered Cardboard Hovercraft | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
What happens when you push a piece of cardboard floating on a thin layer of air? It glides across the table with almost no friction. You cut a small square of cardboard and glue a thread spool over a hole in the center. A balloon fits over the top of the spool. When the balloon releases air, it flows through the spool and lifts the cardboard. Give the hovercraft a gentle push and watch it slide. The air layer removes the friction that would normally slow it down.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that a hovercraft can be built using a balloon, cardboard, and a spool.

Method & Materials

You will cut a 4 inch square out of the cardboard, punch a hole in the cardboard, glue the spool to the cardboard, cover the top of the spool with a circle of paper, punch a hole in the paper, blow up the balloon, twist the end of the balloon, stretch the balloon over the top of the spool, and set the hovercraft on a level table.
You will need cardboard, pencil, glue, paper, thread spool, balloon, and a mouse (optional).

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Results

This project shows how to make a hovercraft that can carry a mouse. By reducing the friction between the hovercraft and the table, the hovercraft is able to move across the table.

Why do this project?

This science project is unique because it shows how to make a real working hovercraft that is only big enough to hold a mouse.

Also Consider

Experiment variations to consider include using different sizes of balloons and different sizes of cardboard.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

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