PARTNER'S NAME

EXPERIMENT 1.1

Equipment:

 In this experiment we will actually build a hovercraft, using only the items listed above! Begin by gluing the bottom of the water bottle cap to the cd, so that the bottle cap covers the center hole in the cd.

While waiting for the glue to dry, blow the balloon up a few times to stretch it out. This will make it easier to inflate once your hovercraft is built. After the glue dries, stretch the open end of the balloon over the top of the water bottle cap.

Now you're ready to go! Inflate the balloon by opening the bottle cap, and blowing into the bottom of the cd hole. Once the balloon is filled, push the bottle cap closed to keep the air in the balloon. Set your craft down on any flat surface (floor, table, desk, etc) and slightly open the bottle cap so that air begins escaping. Give it a push and watch your hovercraft glide! It may take some practice to open the bottle cap just the right amount. If it's opened too much, the balloon runs out of air very quickly. If it's not opened enough, the cd will drag across the surface, slowing it down.

 Hovercraft move by floating on a cushion of air. When you open the bottle cap, air travels out of the balloon and under the cd. As this air tries to escape out, it lifts the cd up, allowing it to glide across the surface. Get eye level with your hovercraft as it hovers, and you might be able to see the small air gap between the surface and the cd. Your hovercraft cd is actually floating on a cushion of air!