How Does a Hovercraft Hover?

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Here's how.

Active Time

30-45 minutes

Total Project Time

30-45 minutes

Key Concepts

hovercraft, friction, aerodynamics, air cushion

A homemade hovercraft made from an inflated balloon, bottle cap, and CD

Introduction

Have you ever ridden on a hovercraft? It is like gliding on a cushion of air! In fact, this is exactly what is going on. A hovercraft is a vehicle that glides over a smooth surface by hovering upon an air cushion. Since a hovercraft can travel on top of flat land or water, it is an amphibious vehicle. In this activity, you will get to build your own mini hovercraft using a CD or DVD, a pop-top lid from a plastic bottle, some glue, and a balloon. How will different amounts of air in the balloon affect how long the hovercraft hovers?

Credits

Teisha Rowland, PhD, Science Buddies

This activity is not appropriate for use as a science fair project. Good science fair projects have a stronger focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data. To find a science fair project that is just right for you, browse our library of over 1,200 Science Fair Project Ideas or use the Topic Selection Wizard to get a personalized project recommendation.

Next: Materials

Materials

Pop-top lid from a plastic drinking bottle. Reusable plastic drinking bottles sometimes use these kinds of lids.
An old CD or DVD that you are willing to part with (it will not be playable after this activity)
A medium-sized balloon (large enough to inflate to at least 11 inches around)
Craft glue or super glue
Stopwatch or timer
Large flat surface for testing the hovercraft