How To Make A Ping Pong Ball Float

Last modified: October 8, 2023

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how to make a ping pong ball float in the air? It may seem like magic, but there is actually a scientific explanation behind it. In this post, we will explore the concept of making a ping pong ball float and discover a fun experiment you can try at home. So, let’s dive in!

The Bernoulli Principle

The secret behind making a ping pong ball float lies in the Bernoulli Principle. According to this principle, as the speed of a fluid (such as air or water) increases, its pressure decreases. This principle is often used in aviation, but we can also use it to create the illusion of a floating ping pong ball.

The Materials You’ll Need

Before we get into the experiment, let’s gather the materials you’ll need:

A hairdryer
A ping pong ball
A flat surface or a table

The Experiment

Now that we have everything ready, let’s move on to the exciting part – the experiment itself!

Place the ping pong ball on the flat surface or table.
Turn on the hairdryer and set it to the highest speed.
Aim the hairdryer at the ping pong ball from a distance of a few inches.
Adjust the angle and distance of the hairdryer until you find the “sweet spot” where the ping pong ball starts to float.
Once the ball starts floating, try moving it around with the air stream. You’ll notice that it stays suspended in the air, defying gravity!

The Science Behind It

When you turn on the hairdryer, it blows a stream of air towards the ping pong ball. As the air flows over the curved surface of the ball, it increases the speed of the air on the top side, creating a lower pressure area. Meanwhile, the air on the bottom side remains at higher pressure. The difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces causes an upward force, allowing the ping pong ball to float.

Fun Variations to Try

Now that you have mastered the art of making a ping pong ball float, why not try some fun variations of the experiment?

Use two hairdryers simultaneously to see if you can make the ball float even higher.
Challenge your friends or family members to see who can keep the ball floating for the longest time.
Add some color to the experiment by painting the ping pong ball before attempting to make it float.

Conclusion

Making a ping pong ball float is not only a great party trick, but it also provides a fascinating insight into the principles of physics. By using the Bernoulli Principle, we can create the illusion of a floating ping pong ball with just a hairdryer and some air. So, next time you want to impress your friends, remember this simple experiment and let the ping pong ball float!

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