STAHP
| Physics, Engineering: | Air Pressure, Hoverboards |
| Grade Range: | Elementary School, Middle School, High School |
| Format: | Hands-on, Stage |
This space is intended to describe the demonstration that is here. Please use this space to describe in short the demonstration, making sure to mention here if it will require any additional safety equipment or how easily it can be adjusted for varied grade levels. Use this page as a base layout for editing the wiki. Feel free to copy the layout onto other pages, and to put the content as needed into the page.
Materials
- A Hoverboard (We have two to choose from)
- Shop Vacuum with Hose
Safety Precautions
Please read the Physical Demonstration section of the Demonstration Safety page before performing this demonstration.
This demonstration should only be performed on a solid, flat surface, such as a wood or tile floor. This demonstration won't work on uneven ground or on padded ground, such as carpet or grass.
Demonstration
- Stage
- Ask the audience if they have ever played air hockey. Ask those who raised their hands if any of them have noticed how the air hockey table works.
- Show the hoverboard, and explain that it is the Science Theatre Air Hockey Puck, or STAHP. point out the membrane on the bottom with holes throughout it, which gives an effect similar to what you see with an air hockey table.
- Ask for a volunteer from the audience. Have them stand in the center of the hoverboard, holding the hose in the pvc pipe hole. Turn the blower on high, and watch as the board starts moving! If needed, help them orient themselves on top, and figure out how to steer on the board.
- Have the volunteer return to their seat, and hover on the hoverboard yourself!
- Hands-on
- Set up the hoverboard, and ask students as they come up if they would like to try to ride it. If so, have them stand in the center of the board and hold the hose in the pvc pipe hole, and then turn the blower on high. Let each student hover on the board for 10 seconds or so before having the next student try to ride it.
- Be sure to give a brief explanation for the hoverboard to the students. If you have a line forming, you can give the whole line the explanation before having them take turns on it.
Why This Works
Pressure is when you apply a force over an area. Air pressure is something that we experience everyday from the air around us, but we don't really think about how strong it can be.
Additional Information
- This demonstration pairs well with the Bernoullis Principle.
- This demonstration is a part of the Pressure Show