YOU WILL NEED

• A balloon

• A CD

• A bottle cap that

opens and closes

• Tape

HOW TO DO IT 1) Secure the bottle cap to the

middle of the CD using tape.

2) Close the bottle cap, blow up

the balloon and wrap it over

the cap.

3) Place the hovercraft on a flat

surface.

4) Push the cap open, give your

hovercraft a gentle push and

watch it go!

BALLOON HOVERCRAFT

How can we reduce the friction of an object?

INVESTIGATE

Now try your balloon

hovercraft on different

surfaces.

Research how real

hovercrafts work.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Friction is a force that is created when things rub against each other.

Friction can slow things down.

The balloon hovercraft releases air, creating an air cushion beneath the

CD. This reduces the friction between the CD and the table top, causing the hovercraft to move quickly.