"Hovercraft" Return to list of pracs

Aim: This is an activity to constrct a hovercraft.

Equipment: The equipment includes...  

• a piece of cardboard (20cm by 20cm);
• a round balloon;
• a cork (with a hole made down through the centre);
• Tarzan Grip glue.

Method: Bore a hole through the centre of the cork. Glue the cork (wide end down) onto the cardboard which also has a hole in it. Blow up a balloon, and while holding the air in, invert it and place it over the cork when the glue has dried. Place the hovercraft on a table top and release the balloon.

Background knowledge: The air released out of the balloon spreads out across the under side base of the cardboard allowing the hovercraft to float on a cushion of air. This reduces friction considerably. You should be able to push it along and it go by itself. If your place a peg on the end to restrict most of the air released it should last longer.