Balancing Ball: Suspend a ball in a stream of air

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Balance a ball in the air with a hair dryer! This Exploratorium produced activity shows learners concepts like lift and air streams. You can try many different angles, speeds, and ball types.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
Under 5 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Hair dryer (blower)
  • A spherical balloon or table-tennis ball
  • Tissue paper
  • Optional: A stand for the blower
  • Optional:Vacuum cleaner such as a Shop-Vac, which has a reversible hose so it can be used as blower
  • Optional:A lightweight vinyl beach ball
  • Optional: A stand for the vacuum cleaner hose

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Acceleration
      • Projectile Motion
      • Newton's Laws

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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