electrostatic levitation

7/24/2019 Electrostatic Levitation

1/47

ELECTROSTATIC LEVITATION

I got an e-mail from a gentleman named Nyle Steiner with a link to a video abot !ombining

ele!tro"tati! levitation with walkalong gliding# $ow%

It wa" more ele!tro"tati! than aerodynami!& bt it wa" "till the !oole"t thing I've "een for a longtime#

I'd heard of ele!tro"tati! levitation before& bt it alway" involved bying a kit or finding e(a!tly

the right kind of tin"el or "omething# )t Nyle wa" a kindred "*irit who e(*erimented to find

!ommon& ho"ehold material" to do the +ob# Then I !he!ked ot hi" non-!ommer!ial web"ite of

"!ien!e *ro+e!t"& *arti!larly *ro+e!t" involving ele!tri!ity& !alled

htt*,www#"*arkbangb..#!om# It'" trly a labor of love& !rio"ity and geni"--a refle!tion of

the man# Informally trained a" an ele!troni!" engineer& Nyle trned down a +ob offer to *lay

"teadily with the /tah Sym*hony& to bild ele!troni! *rototy*e" in an engineering de*artment# At

fir"t he regretted the de!i"ion& later reali.ed with all the e(*erien!e gained he'd made the right

de!i"ion# 0e de"igned and "old m"i! "ynthe"i.er" and invented the Ele!tri! Valve In"trment 1or

ele!tri! trm*et2# 3laying it& he had a 45 year !areer "!oring on 6ilm" "!h a" A*o!aly*"e Now&

$itne""& 7ho"t& 8ead 3oet" So!iety and many TV "how"# 9o !an "ee him *laying "tarting at

abot a minte into thi" video#

Now he tinker" with *ro+e!t" and "hare" them on hi" web"ite#

Stati! ele!tri!ity e(*eriment" have alway" been a bit !a*ri!io"# The fir"t time I tried ele!tro"tati!

levitation to my !la""e" throghot the "!hool day& with the fir"t !la"" it wa" a big hit# )t when I

tried it with the "e!ond !la"" it wa" a !om*lete flo*& +"t didn't work%
http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/


2/47

$ith the hel* of Nyle" and other friend" I've learned a lot "in!e that embarra""ing day# I'm going

to "mmari.e "ome of the tried and tre fa!tor" that will hel* in"re yor e(*eriment" and demo"

go well# After that& I will +"t dm* "ome di"!""ion and "*e!lation from e-mail" for advan!ed

e(*erimenter"# 3erha*" *eo*le with knowledge of "!h thing" will be able to inform " how we

!an make the e(*erien!e even better# I !onfe"" that I "till know relatively little abot "tati! !harge

e(!e*t that it'" "ed in *hoto!o*y ma!hine"& !lingy food wra*& "ome d"t !olle!tion "y"tem" and

"ome "*ray *aint "y"tem"# Sometime" it +"t "eem" kind of magi!%

0and Levitation

I got a !ool e-mail from Ste*han Vo"" and family 0i" a!!ont of how he di"!overed it i" here#

Chance favors the prepared mind--Louis Pasteur. :ay the 6or!e be with yo%

S/::AR9 O6 ;NO$LE87E TO :A;E STATIC ELECTRICIT9 E minte& then went !om*letely dead=+"t a" the kid"

were getting e(!ited and& I ge""& breathing more#

9o !an "e hmidity to yor advantage& a" yo will "ee in the ne(t "e!tion abot?#

Rever"e Charge, thi" i" the mo"t maddening thing that'" ha**ened to me# The *la"ti! that I wa"

levitating to!hed the foam board# Sddenly& in"tead of re*elling& the *la"ti! !ling" like !ra.y#

Some *eo*le re*ort they !an +"t rb again and everything'" all right& bt it wa"n't working on

my embarra""ing day# )t here are "ome thing" that "eem to work# Nyle !harged 1rbbed2 the

*la"ti! on a "heet of alminm foil="!h an ea"y way to remove variable" in table to* material#

I have re*eated thi"# $ord" great and I'll never do it any other way#
http://zambum.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/using-the-force/http://zambum.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/using-the-force/


3/47

Nyle al"o noti!ed and then !onfirmed throgh e(*erimenting that *rinting ink on "ome *la"ti!

bag" !an !a"e !harge rever"al *roblem"# 8"t or other "tff on the *la"ti! or balloon !old al"o

!a"e troble#

:i!hael Thom*"on ha" e(*erien!ed rever"e !harge& too# 0e breathe" on it "o the hmidity

remove" the !harge& then rb" again#

)e"t :aterial" and Sha*e", Nyle "tarted it all off with a balloon at the bottom# Thoma"

)!hwald& another friend i" thi" gro* of e(*erimenter"& "b"titted bigger *ie!e of rigid foam

in"lation and I do have an ea"ier time with that& *arti!larly when the *la"ti! "ha*e being

levitated i" big or "lide" arond @i!kly#

At the to*& Nyle "e" *la"ti! gro!ery bag"# There might be "ome vale in "ing the thinner

1lighter2 !lear little *rod!e bag" in gro!ery "tore"# :ike al"o levitate" the very thin *ie!e" of the

foam "heet that we make walkalong glider" from#

In addition to the "ha*e in Nyle'" video& we've all tried vario" "ha*e"# Ring" are !ool& re*elling

to a !ir!le# :ike "gge"t" "ing a :obi" "tri*& e(*o"ing lot" of frontal area in any dire!tion# So

it'" more "table in flight than a *lain ring& whi!h !an "li* away#

I'm having fn !tting ot re!tangle" and "@are" ot of the thinne"t *la"ti! I !an find from

gro!ery *rod!e area"& and !tting in *enin"la" or finger"=if yo will# They too have great

flying "tability *l" they have nworldly tenta!le" that radiate ot in all dire!tion"#

OO3S& it look" like "omeone already thoght to !t lot" of little leg" into the *la"ti!#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vai9_uoISj4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vai9_uoISj4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vai9_uoISj4


4/47

0ere'" a fnny video that Thoma" !ame a!ro""& in 7erman& bt anyone !an nder"tand it#

There" a !ool !ommer!ial "tati! ele!tri!ity "!ien!e kit with a .illion !ool e(*eriment"# 3eo*le

might think I hate all !ommer!ial kid" *rod!t"# To the !ontrary& Im ha**y to *oint ot when

"omething worthwhile !ome" along to di"tin@i"h it from all the +nk# Thi" *rod!t&i" more

reliable& too& for "tati! ele!tri!iy demon"tration"& whi!h !an !a*ri!io"ly de*end on hmidity#

The"e are the *eo*le who make the 6n 6ly Sti!k" that levitate thing"# I think there" more to be

learned from the "!ien!e kit#9o "till get the levitation "ti!k--a!tally a miniatre Van de 7raaff

generator% And yo !an "ee throgh to "ee the inner working"# :y *ath !ro""ed with the"e folk"&

who related a bit of what it" like to be a "mall toy !om*any of engineer"& e""entially "wimming

among "hark"# They went throgh the lengthily *atent rote and have to fend off low-@ality

kno!k-off"#

HOW TO MAKE THE POP!""ote that some peop#e $ho %ui#t this pro&ect have su''ested variations( $hich ) have inc#uded at the %ottom

of the pa'e.

What you need*

One foot of +, diameter P/C p#astic pipe

The *i*e form" the ot"ide of the *o*gn# Some hardware "tore" might "ell it by the foot# 6rom

other *la!e"& like bilding !enter"& yo will have to by B or >5 feet at a time# It i" "till little morethan a dollar for all >5 feet# 3VC *i*e i" white# 8o not get C3VC *i*e& whi!h i" moree(*en"ive and a tani"h !olor# One more !onf"ing thing, even on the in"ide& >4 diameter *i*e i"

a!tally bigger than >4 diameter# 7o by what the writing "ay" on the ot"ide of the *i*e& not by

a!tally mea"ring #

+, diameter $ooden do$e#

The dowel i" for making the *lnger& whi!h yo *"h into the *i*e to !om*re"" the air# Al"o

available from hardware "tore" and bilding !enter"& it !ome" in either D foot or foot long*ie!e"# 9o !an get material for 4 *o*gn" ot of a D dowel or for D *o*gn" ot of a

dowel#

0oam meat,ve'eta%#e pac1a'in' tray

Thi" i" for the *lnger "eal# :eat& *oltry& "mall frit" and vegetable" are *t on the"e tray" in

the gro!ery "tore and wra**ed in !lear *la"ti!#

+ #on' 2or the shortest avai#a%#e3 dry$a## scre$
http://www.unitechtoys.com/ffs_science_kit.htmlhttp://www.unitechtoys.com/ffs_science_kit.htmlhttp://www.unitechtoys.com/ffs_science_kit.html


5/47

The drywall "!rew hold" the "eal to the ti* of the *lnger# 0ardware "tore" and bilding !enter"

with blk& n*a!kaged "!rew" will let yo get +"t the one that yo need& in"tead of having to by

a bo( of them# The "horter it i"& the ea"ier it i" to "!rew in#

Tape

8!t ta*e or ele!tri!al ta*e work" be"t# 9o !old "e ma"king ta*e# Clear ta*e i" the lea"t

"ati"fa!tory& bt ok in a *in!h#

stron' strin'( hac1sa$ %#ade( phi##ips-head scre$driver( scissors

The "!i""or" "hold be adlt "i.e& not kid "i.ed# 9o !an "e a ha!k"aw or +"t the !hea* bladewithot the frame#

Either a cor1 ora sma## piece of + to thic1 styrofoam insu#ation

Ala"& natral !ork" are getting harder to find& and the "yntheti! rbber one" dont work# A"karond& thogh# 9o !an ea"ily make a "b"titte that i" +"t a" good if yo get a "mall *ie!e of

!lo"ed-!ell "tyrofoam anywhere from D to 4 thi!k# :o"t *eo*le& even at a bilding !enter&

wont know what yo mean by!lo"ed-!ell# In"tead& refer to it a" the kind of "tyrofoam "ed for

ba"ement fondation" nder grade 1ndergrond2# It" "ally light ble or *ink# /nfortnately&the white bead board foam "ed to *a!kage ele!troni! e@i*ment doe" not work well#

Styrofoam i" "old in "heet" big enogh to make "everal tho"and !ork"# /"ally bilding

"**lylmber yard" "ell damaged broken *ie!e" !hea*# If that doe"nt *an ot& do yo have anyrelative"& friend" or neighbor" who might have "ome left over from a !on"tr!tion *ro+e!tF

6inally& "omeone at a !on"tr!tion "ite might give yo a "!ra*& e"*e!ially if yo make the re"t of

*o*gn and "how them how it work"# On!e yo are aware of it& !lo"ed-!ell foam i" @itebi@ito"#

4tep +

Cut the do$e# and the P/C pipe.


6/47

If yor wood dowel i" D 1DG2 long& !t into two >H *ie!e"# If yor dowel i" long 1H2 yo

!an !t it into three >G *ie!e" if yore making three *o*gn"# /"e a ha!k"aw& or even +"t a

ha!k"aw blade to !t it#

Again with a ha!k"aw blade& !t a > 1>42 *ie!e of 3VC *i*e# :ake the !t a" "traight a"

*o""ible#

4tep

5eve# the inside corner of pipe on one end.

Thi" will *robably be the harde"t to nder"tand "te*& althogh on!e yo know how to do it& it will

only take a minte to do# )eveling the in"ideallow" " to *n!h ot *erfe!tly "i.ed "eal" 1in "te*


7/47

D2& *n!h ot "b"titte !ork"& and the "lanting in"ide wall let" yo get big !ork" in the *o*gn

that wold otherwi"e get "t!k on the in"ide edge#

$e will "e half of a *air of "!i""or" to "have off the in"ide !orner# That doe" not mean we will

take the "!i""or" a*art# It +"t mean" well "e one of the *ie!e" like a knife# I will refer to the one*art we "e a" a "!i""or 1"inglar2 from now on# $hy not "im*ly "e a knifeF ;nive" that are thin

enogh to fit in"ide the *i*e "ally fle( too m!h and they are "har*ened at an angle that get"

"t!k in the *la"ti!# S!i""or"& on the other hand& are narrow& rigid& and "har*ened to a m!h moreobt"e angle whi!h "have" *la"ti! withot getting "t!k#

)efore "tarting& wra* abot G of ta*e arond the fir"t >4 in!h of one of the "!i""or *oint"# 9o

will be levering the "!i""or again"t the *i*e wall# If yo dont wra* * the *oint& it will tear * the

in"ide of the *i*e& whi!h will !a"e air leakage# Note that yo will "ing the the "!i""or a" a"e!ond !la"" lever 1more abot lever" in the E(*loring 3o*gn" *age2# $ith the ta*ed *oint

+ammed again"t the in"ide wall& and yor hand e(erting for!e on the handle& yo !an mlti*ly the

for!e to the *art of the "!i""or that i" "having down the in"ide edge#

$hen yo have looked at all the te(t and ill"tration" in Ste* 4 and yo have "ome idea of what

yo need to do& *"h the ta*ed-* *oint a bit into the *i*e& and "ee if yo !an "tart "!ra*ing awaya bit of the in"ide edge with the "har* edge of the "!i""or"# The ta*ed ti* might "li* arond# ;ee*

working with it# 9o know yore "tarting to get it when yo "ee little !rly bit" of *la"ti! in frontof the edge# 3eo*le who ma!hine metal" and *la"ti!" !all that !rl a !hi*#

Contine "having away the in"ide edge ntil the in"ide i" beveled to the ot"ide edge#

4tep 6

Punch out sea#s and assem%#e the p#un'er.


8/47

/"ing the beveled end of the *i*e& it "hold be ea"y to *n!h !ir!le" ot of the foam *a!kagingtray# The"e will be the "eal" whi!h kee* air from leaking ot of the *i*e# 3t the foam tray on a

table and *"h the *i*e down on it while at the "ame time twi"ting it# 9o need D !ir!le"#

$ra* ta*e 1red in the ill"tration2 arond one end of a dowel& with the edge of the ta*e fl"h with

the edge of the dowel# 3t a" many wra*" of ta*e a" yo !an and yet "till fit ea"ily in"ide the

*i*e# The ill"tration "how" ele!tri!al ta*e# If yo "e d!t ta*e it will be wider# The ta*e wra*doe" two thing", 6ir"t& it kee*" the dowel end from "*litting o*en 1or hold" it together if it doe"2

when we do the ne(t thing, "!rew the drywall "!rew into the end of the dowel# Se!ond& it ba!k"

* the "eal" in !a"e the high-*re""re air wold blow them ot#


9/47

S!rew the drywall "!rew into the !enter" of the three rond& foam "eal"# On the "ame end of the

dowel yo +"t wra**ed the ta*e& "!rew the drywall "!rew into the !enter end of the end of thedowel# 9o might

want to ta* the

"!rew in a little with a hammer to get it "tarted# Rbbing a little "oa* or fat on the thread" of the

"!rew make a little ea"ier to "!rew in# Twi"t the "!rew in ntil it make" the fir"t foam "eal indenta little#

4tep 7

0inish the pop'un

9o !old "ay that the *o*gn i" fini"hed at thi" *oint& bt tr"t me, "*ending a few

minte" to kee* the dowel

from *lling ot the ba!k all the time i" well worth the effort# $e will "e "tring and ta*e to

make "re that abot D of the *lnger "tay" in the *i*e#


10/47

Start by making a mark on the *lnger D from the end with the foam "eal"# Ne(t& *t the end of

the dowel withot "eal" into the beveled endof the *i*e# $hen the dowel !ome" ot the other

end of the *i*e& *ll the "eal" +"t into the *i*e& bt no frther in# I:3ORTANT, Never *"h the"eal" into the *i*e be!a"e they will get wre!ked# Alway" *ll them in#

$ith the "eal" "till +"t in"ide the *i*e& ta*e a *ie!e of "tring to the dowel& right ne(t to the other

end of the *i*e# Ta*e near the end of the "tring& bt let a !o*le of in!he" of "tring hang ot#8ont worry abot the ta*e being wider than in the ill"tration if yo "e d!t ta*e#

Now we are going to ta*e the other end of the "tring to the *i*e "o the dowel !annot !ome all the

way ot# 3ll the dowel ot ntil yo get to the mark yo made D from the end# $hile kee*ing

that *o"ition& ta*e the other end of the "tring to the *i*e&

making "re the "tring i" tight# On!e again& there "hold be a !o*le of in!he" of "tring hanging

ot from the ta*e#


11/47

The rea"on we let a little bit of the "tring end hang ot i" that we are going to doble it ba!k over

the ta*e and ta*e it again# Thi" make" it very hard to *ll ot# 8o thi" both where the "tring i"

ta*ed to the dowel and to where the "tring i" ta*ed to the *i*e# $here the "tring i" ta*ed to thedowel& !ontine wra**ing ta*e arond there ntil the blge i" "o big that it doe"nt fit into the

*i*e anymore# Congratlation"% 9o have fini"hed the *o*gn#

4tep 8

Ma1e a foam cor1.

Thi" i" ea"y and @i!k& +"t like when yo *n!hed ot the foam "eal"& bt with thi!ker *ie!e" offoam# Remember *ll the dowel ot of the way and to twi"t the *i*e of the *o*gn a" yo *"h it

in# To get the foam ot& yo will have to *o* the *o*gn# :ake "re the dowel i" *lled ba!k a"

far a" the "tring will let it# Then *"h it forward a" fa"t a" yo !an# ;aboom% 7etting the foamba!k in again i" ea"ie"t if yo twi"t it while *"hing it in#

If yo already have a wine !ork& yo might have to bevel one end "o it fit" into the *i*e# There

are two way" to do thi"# 9o !an rb the end on rogh !on!rete or yo !an !t the bevel with a

"har* knife# Again& yo "hold twi"t it a" yo *"h it into the *i*e# A tight-fitting !ork i" hard foryong kid" to *o* ot# 9o might want to !on"ider a foam !ork for them#

6eedba!k from Chri" Ehler"

One ti* for yor reader", "ear!h throgh !o**er fitting" at the hardware

"tore# I fond a T-fitting that i" the *erfe!t diameter to !t ot the foam"eal" 1*l" they are e(tremely !hea*2#

6eedba!k from Craig :iwa

I wanted to bild "ome old "tyle *o* gn" for my boy" thi" weekend and "ed yor web"ite idea" for a ba"i! *lanand they worked ot great# I made a few "mall !hange" that worked ot good for me#


12/47

>2 I "ed a >4 3VC end !a*& in whi!h I bored a BH hole for the rod

to go throgh# Thi" make" the "tring nne!e""ary and kee*" the kid"

from *lling the *lnger all the way ot# Ive al"o !on"idered *tting a

T at the ba"e of the 3VC a" an ea"ier to hold handle for the kid"#42 I "ed "ome DH wa"her" arond the foam *lnger on the dowel# It

make" the foam a!t more like a o ring I think at lea"t it kee*" it a

little "tiffer#

D2 Thi" wa" !o"meti! bt I *t little handle" on the end of the *lnger"o it wa" ea"ier to hold# It al"o "to*" the kid" from *"hing the

*lnger in too dee*#

Something el"e I might do for yonger kid" i" tie a "tring on the end of

the *lnger and attat!h it to the !ork "o it *o*" and then they +"t

!o!k it ba!k and it *ll" the !ork ba!k in ready to go# Thi" way theywont loo"e the !ork too#

5ac1 to the pop'un

introduction pa'e.

5ac1 to the science toyma1er

home pa'e.

)9d #i1e to 1no$ ho$ this pro&ect 'oes for you. )9m happy to ans$er :uestions

a%out it. 0eed%ac1 from you is an important $ay for me to 1no$ $hat $or1s and

$hat needs c#arification.

contact me

HOW TO MAKE THE /O;TE4 3VC *i*e fit" "nggly in"ide 4-literbottle"# $hen "ed to !onne!t two bottle"& the *i*e kee*" them from flo**ing arond#

Some hardware "tore" might "ell it by the foot 1yo only need 4 in!he" *er *ro+e!t2# 6rom other*la!e"& like bilding !enter"& yo will have to by B or >5 feet at a time# It i" "till little more than

a dollar for >5 feet# 3VC *i*e i" white# 8o not get C3VC *i*e& whi!h i" more e(*en"ive and atani"h !olor# One more !onf"ing thing, >4 diameter *i*e i" a!tally bigger than >4# 7o by

what it "ay" on the *i*e& not by a!tally mea"ring the diameter#

c#ear p#astic food $rap

The only really !hallenging *art of thi" *ro+e!t i" making the bottle" !om*letely "ealed--no leak"#

The be"t way to do it i" with *la"ti! wra*# )y "tret!hing the *la"ti! tightly a" it i" wra**ed

arond the bottle"& it "eal" very well#

e#ectrica# tape orduct tape ormas1in' tape= scissors= hac1sa$ 2or&ust a hac1sa$

%#ade3

8!t ta*e i" be"t# The ha!k"aw or ha!k"aw blade i" for !tting the *la"ti! *i*e#

co#d $ater( or refri'eration or ice or sno$ or co#d $eather to ma1e it co#d.

I know it "eem" a bit "trange to be !on!erned abot air and water tem*eratre a" we "eal the two

bottle" together# The rea"on behind it i" @ite intere"ting# I go into it more in the A!tivitie" and

E(*lanation" *age#

6or bilding thi" *ro+e!t& yo "hold know thi" m!h, It i" im*ortant that the air and waterin thebottle" be!oldwhen they are being "ealed# A" the air warm" *& it will e(*and a little# )e!a"e

it" tra**ed in"ide& the air *re""re in"ide the bottle" be!ome" a little higher than the air *re""re

ot"ide# That" good& be!a"e it kee*" the bottle" firm& +"t like the higher air *re""re in abi!y!le tire kee*" the tire from going flat#

$ithot the higher *re""re in"ide& the bottle" will dent a little# )e!a"e they are no longer

*erfe!tly rond& it" harder to make a good vorte(# 6ortnately& thi" i" ea"y to *revent by kee*ing

thing" !ool when "ealing the bottle"#

4tep +

Cut a #on' piece of pipe.

3VC *i*e i" ea"y to !t and it only take" a few "e!ond"# Even if yo dont have a ha!k"aw frame&yo !an !t with +"t a blade if yo wra* a little ta*e arond a" a handle# 0a!k "aw" are m!h

"afer than any other kind of "aw#


14/47

I am a believer in letting even yong kid" *arti!i*ate a" m!h a" *o""ible& "o I offer thi"

ill"tration a" a *roven way kid" 1green hand"2 !an do "ome "awing& while yo 1ble hand"2maintain !ontrol of the "aw# )e!a"e of the way the *i*e i" "**orted on both end"& it doe"nt

"lide arond#

0ere yo !an "ee a fa"t and "afe +ig for !tting& made of a "!ra* of wood and B nail"# The

ha!k"aw "lide" again"t two nail" that atomati!ally !t a 4 *ie!e# It" worth making if yo are

working with a gro*#

$hen yore done "awing& !lean ot the *la"ti! !rd that "ti!k" to the end of the *i*e where

yo made the !t# /"e yor fingernail#

4tep

Prepare the %ott#es for sea#in'.

The"e "b-"te*" dont have to be done in any *arti!lar order,


15/47

Rin"e ot bottle"#

3eel off label"# Savea!olorfl*ie!efor the ne(t *art#

Ct "ome !onfetti from the *la"ti! label" yo +"t *eeled off# They be!ome tra!er" in the vorte(

1they remind me of the ho"e "*inning arond in the $i.ard of O.2# No *ie!e "hold be largerthan the finger nail on yor *inky# 3t the *ie!e" into one of the bottle"#

Ct a *ie!e of ele!tri!al ta*e D long& or !t d!t ta*e into a a D "li!e& D long# $ra* it tightly

arond the middle of the *i*e# Thi" ta*e will kee* the *i*e from falling into one bottle or the

other#

6ill one bottle abot 4D fll of the !olde"t water yo !an get# 6or e(am*le& if there i" a drinking

fontain with !hilled water& it wold be worth it to !at!h it in a !* and *or it into the bottle#

Alternately& yo !old bt half a handfl of !r"hed i!e or "now in both bottle"& or yo !old *t

the bottle" in the refrigerator or ot"ide 1if it" !old2 for half an hor#

If the kid" making the vorte( are very yong 1kindergarten or fir"t grade2& only fill the bottle half

fll# It will be ea"ier to !arry and ea"ier to "tart the vorte(#

4tep 6

>ust %efore you $rap.

3"h the *i*e into the filled bottle ntil it get" hard to *"h 1be!a"e of the ta*e2# Trn the other

bottle *"ide down and *"h it on the other "ide of the *i*e# 3"h and twi"t it *retty hard "o it"@i"he" "ome of the ta*e#

J"t before "ealing the bottle"& trn them *"ide down "o the em*ty bottle fill" 1a few dro*" of

water might leak ot2# Thi" will !ool the air in"ide# The to* bottle will *robably dent in a little&

whi!h mean" the air in the "y"tem i" !ontra!ting# 3ll the bottle" a*art for an in"tant to let moreair in& "o the bottle i" not dented anymore# 8o thi" +"t before "ealing "o the air doe"nt have a

!han!e to warm * m!h#

4tep 7

4ea# the %ott#es to'ether.


16/47

The key to "ealing the bottle" i" tokee* the *la"ti! wra* tighta" yo wra* it on#

Take the roll ot of the bo( and hold it in one hand# Start wra**ing the end arond the bottle"

with the other hand# At "ome *oint& the wra**ed *art wont "li* off even when yo *ll veryhard# 9o "hold noti!e the *la"ti! "tret!hing over the handle"# That i" where the "eal will be

made# $ra* at lea"t >5 tight wra*" arond the bottle"# I know Im re*eating my"elf& bt if yo

dont a**ly the *la"ti! nder "tret!hing ten"ion& it wont "eal#

Althogh the bottle" "hold now be "ealed& wra* "ome d!t ta*e or ele!tri!al ta*e a few of time"arond the *la"ti!# Thi" kee*" it from nraveling& and it kee*" the bottle" from "e*arating when

yo lift by the to* bottle#

4tep 8

!se it?

Trn the bottle" over# 7rab the very to* an "wi"h it in a !ir!lar motion two or three time"& then

"to* "ddenly# Thi" will give the water enogh !ir!lar momentm to !reate the vorte(#

If the bottle dent"& dont worry# It will fill ot in a hor or "o& a" the water warm"--if yo "ealed itwell# /ntil then& at the "ame time yo "wi"hing the to* end in a !ir!le to get the water moving&

"@ee.e the thebottombottle# $hen the dent i" on the bottom& it doe"nt interfere with the

vorte(#


17/47

5ac1 to the vorte@

introduction pa'e.


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E


18/47

Let" "tart with the ob"ervation that "ometime" it doe"nt# 0ave yo noti!ed that if yo +"t trn

over the bottle" withot "*inning the water& yo get a bn!h of bbble" a" the water dribble"

from the **er bottle to the lower one# It i" im*ortant to reali.e that there i" "omething in bothbottle", water in one& air in the other# They awkwardly try to *a"" ea!h other in the bottle

ne!k"#

On!e yo "tart the water "*inning& everything !hange"# A!!ording to Sir I"aa! Newton" fir"t law

of motion& the water will move in a "traight line nle"" "omething !hange" it" dire!tion# The "ideof the bottle !on"tantly !hange" the dire!tion of the water# The net effe!t i" that the water *"he"

it"elf again"t the wall of the bottle# A!tally& the "*inning air i" al"o *"hing toward the ot"ide&

bt being le"" den"e& it i" "hoved into the !enter by the heavier water# 0ere i" a "im*le ill"trationof !entri*etal and !entrifgal for!e#Cli!k hereand read the dire!tion" for an intera!tive +ava

"imlation abot !entri*etal for!e# And here i" a di"!""ion abot why !andle flame" and helim

balloon"a!t !onterintitively when "b+e!ted to !entri*etal for!e#

$e "ee thi" !entri*etal for!e again and again in te!hnology# $a"hing ma!hine" throw water ot

of !lothe" dring the "*in !y!le "o le"" drying ha" to be done# 0o"*ital lab" analy.e blood by!entrifging it "o hard that it "e*arate" into layer" 1milk!ream "e*arator" al"o work thi" way2#

)eekee*er" e(tra!t honey from the he(agonal wa( !ell" with !entrifgal "*inning e(tra!tor"#6ighter +et *ilot" wear "*e!ial "it" to hel* kee* the blood in their brain" from being *"hed into

their lower e(tremitie" dring high-"*eed& banked trn"# Tho"e *ilot" !an lo"e !on"!io"ne""

when they *ll 7"& "o named be!a"e the for!e they with"tand dring "har* trn" i" mea"redin mlti*le" of reglar gravitational for!e#

The heavy water& a" it fall" to a lower level& !onvert" it" *otential energy to kineti! 1moving2

energy# Thi" *ro!e"" over!ome" fri!tion and kee*" the whole thing going#

I believe the vorte( i" wider on to* be!a"e there i" le"" water *re""re there# 6rther down thegreater water *re""re "@ee.e" the air to a narrower tbe#

9o will find that yo !an make the vorte( rotate either way by the dire!tion yo "*in it in# In

ma!ro event" like hrri!ane"& the dire!tion i" determined by theCorioli" effe!t#

4o ho$ does this re#ate to rea# tornados and hurricanes

It" *retty ea"y to "ee that den"e water in the to* bottle will be drawn downward by gravity&

di"*la!ing the le""-den"e air in the bottom# It i" harder to gra"* the fa!t that !old& dry air i"heavier than moi"t& warm air# $hen a moi"tre laden weather "y"tem !ollide" with a dry air

ma""& the differen!e in den"ity *ower" tornado" and hrri!ane"# Thi" i" analogo" to the way thedifferen!e in den"ity between the water on to* and the air below *ower" or model tornado#

Remember when we !ooled the air in the bottle" before "ealing themF $e did it to kee* the to*

bottle from denting& bt we !an "e the idea to demon"trate how !ool air i" den"er than warm air#

3t a lid tightly on a "oda bottle at room tem*eratre# Then "ti!k it in a free.er for one minte#
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19/47

9o will "ee the bottle dent# 9o have the "ame nmber of air mole!le" "t!k in the bottle& and

they weigh the "ame# )t now they are taking * le"" "*a!e# That" what den"ity i" abot, how

m!h of "omething yo have andhow m!h "*a!e it take" *# The !old air i" den"er than the hotair be!a"e the "ame amont take" * le"" "*a!e#

Why does the vorte@ spin faster at the %ottom

If yo *t little bit" of *la"ti! in yor bottle" before yo "ealed them& yo might have noti!ed that

they "eem to "*eed * a" they get near the !enter of the bottle# I made a 6la"h animation of avorte(to demon"trate thi"#

0ere are "ome very well made video" by the *eo*le who make the Nova S!ien!e "erie" on 3)S#

The one entitled Con"ervation of Anglar :omentm!an al"o e(*lain why the *la"ti! goe"fa"ter near the !enter#

To "ee what" going on& yo have to differentiate two method" of mea"ring "*eed# 0ere i"

another animationthat will hel* yo "ort them ot# 3re""ing the btton "wit!he" from e@alrevoltion" *er minte to e@al di"tan!e *er minte& and ba!k# At the bottom of a vorte(& if thewater i" for!ed to "*in in a tighter !ir!le it m"t in!rea"e it" r*m" 1revoltion" *er minte2 to

maintain the "ame "*eed%

I made a trntable that i" big enogh for *eo*le to "*in on to event"# I in"tr!t kid" to lie down on

their "toma!h"& "tret!h ot "o m!h of their ma"" 1weight "ort ofM2 i" far from the !enter ofrotation& and "tart them"elve" "*inning# Then--withot to!hing the grond-- they *ll

them"elve" into the !enter# They "eem to magi!ally "*eed *& bt of !or"e the r*m" have to

in!rea"e to maintain the "ame m*h 1mile" *er hor2# Thi" i" how i!e "kater" "*in them"elve" intoa blr at the end of a rotine# I fir"t noti!ed it a" a kid when I twi"ted my"elf * in a "wing# )y

leaning ba!k and "ti!king my leg" ot I !old "low down my "*inning dra"ti!ally#

5ac1 to the vorte@

introduction pa'e.


home pa'e.

)9d #i1e to 1no$ ho$ this pro&ect 'oes for you. )9m happy to ans$er :uestions a%out it. 0eed%ac1 from you is an important $ay for me to 1no$

$hat $or1s and $hat needs c#arification.

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20/47

Circu#ation Motion and Centripeta# 0orce

$hen an ob+e!t i" in !ir!lar motion& it need !entri*etal for!e#

A red ball i" atta!hed to a green !ord 1negle!t it" ma""2

*a""ing throgh a "mall hole in a fri!tion le""& hori.ontal table#The red ball i" initially orbiting in a !ir!le of radi" r with velo!ity v#

A bla!k ball i" tied to the other end of the green !ord#

If it i" in e@ilibrim&

the gravitational for!e of the bla!k ball 6g :g&

*rovide" the !entri*etal for!e 6! needed#

6! m v4r m w4r 1 vwr 2

6g 6! i.e. M' B m $r

># Cli!k the bla!k ball and drag it * and down to !hange the radi" r#

Cli!k with left mo"e btton,

The "i.e 1ma""2 of bla!k ball will !hange to kee* the "y"tem in e@ilibrim#Cli!k with right mo"e btton,

The ma"" of bla!k i" the "ame# The "y"tem "tart" o"!illation#

4# The tor@e a!ting on the red ball i" .ero "in!e 0i" *arallel to r#The anglar momentm of the red ball i" a !on"tant of the motion#

L B r m v B m r$ B constant

$hen the radi" r i" !hanging&

centripeta# force6! 1rmv241mrD2 L41mrD2 !hange" &too#

D# Cli!k the ri'htmo"e btton to pause& !li!k it again to resume#

$hen the animation i" ""*ended&Cli!k at the red ball and drag the mo"e btton to !hange it" tangential ve!tor&

and the ma"" of bla!k ball will al"o !hange to kee* in the "ame radi"#

If yo !li!k the right mo"e btton and drag it *downleftright&

yo !an rotate the !oordinate "y"tem#


21/47

# Cli!k trace!he!k bo( to tra!e the tra+e!tory&

3re""C#ean)tton to !lear the tra!e#

B# 3arameter" ,A "hort white arrow re*re"ent" the velo!ity ve!tor v B r $#

w , anglar fre@en!yr , radi"

:gm, :g gravitation for!e for bla!k ball&m i" the ma"" of red ball#

9or "gge"tion" are highly a**re!iated% 3lea"e !li!k [email protected]

AuthorGFu-Kwun Hwang, Dept. of physics, National Taiwan Normal ni!ersity

"ast mo#ifie# $ %&'()'*%%% %($)+$%*

HOW TO WH)4TLE A" ACO;" CAP

5efore you start*

9o only "e the !a* of the a!orn to whi"tle with--not the whole a!orn# 9o will have to remove

a !a* from the re"t of an a!orn# Althogh a!orn whi"tling i" "im*le on!e yo have done it& yowill have to e(*eriment at it a bit to learn it# Larger !a*" are ea"ier to learn on& while "maller

one" "eem to be "lightly loder#

4tep +
mailto:[email protected]://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/~hwang/index.htmlhttp://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/http://www.ntnu.edu.tw/mailto:[email protected]://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/~hwang/index.htmlhttp://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/http://www.ntnu.edu.tw/


22/47

ivide the acorn cap.

I dont mean !ho* it *& bt mentally divide the a!orn !a* into D "e!tion"# The to* "e!tion i" whatyo will "ee when holding the a!orn# Noti!e that it i" "maller than the bottom "e!tion" be!a"e

we divide from a *oint above the !enter of the a!orn#

4tep

0orm a D shape $ith your thum%s.

9o will have to rotate yor thmb" to get it# )y holding yor thmb" that way& yo will hide the

bottom 4 "e!tion"& bt "ee the to*& trianglar "e!tion#

4tep 6


23/47

Ho#d the acorn.

0old it between both thmb" and both *ointer 1inde(2 finger"& a" "hown in the ill"tration# :akethe 9 "ha*e with yor thmb" and *o"ition them to "how only the "mall& to*& trianglar "e!tion

of the a!orn#

4tep 7

Ma1e it $hist#e.

Con"tri!t yor li*" a little and blow hard--+"t a" if yo were blowing ot a !andle that wa" D feet

away from yo# The kn!kle" of yor thmb" will re"t right in between yor li*"# The thmbkn!kle" wont get *a"t yor li*" into yor moth& thogh& be!a"e yor li*" are *r"ed#

$hen yo get it& yoll know it# 9o might have to *lay arond a little with the following

variable",

Rotate yor wri"t" forward and ba!kward to !hange the angle of the a!orn "lightly# 9o are"eeking a balan!e between *art of the air "tream !rling arond in the a!orn !a* while the re"t of

the air r"he" over the to* edge#

Vary the "i.e of the triangle of a!orn vi"ible between yor thmb"# Smaller "ally work" be"t

for me& bt e(*eriment#

5ac1 to the acorn $hist#e

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MO;E A5O!TWH)4TLE4

6or e(*lanation"& a!tivitie"

and !ool link" related to

whi"tle" !li!k hereor on the

*i!tre#
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24/47

E


25/47

htt*,www#ehow#!omhow>KBD>whi"tle-gra""#html

htt*,ni!hola"a!ademy#!om"!ien!ee(*eriment4K>gra""whi"tle#html

Thank" again to Erik#

5ac1 to the acorn $hist#e

introduction pa'e.


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MO;E A5O!T POP!"4 A" A);

P;E44!;E3o*gn" dont have to be *owered by air *re""re# Evil 7eni" 8r# Simon :onk ha" de"ignedlot" of !ool ele!troni!" *ro+e!t"& in!lding a !oil gn that "e" magneti! re*l"ion in"tead of air

*re""re# 9o !an "ee it here htt*,www#dangero"lymad#!om"am*le-!ha*ter

I have fond memorie" of a wooden *o*gn I had when I wa" a little kid# It hel*ed me begin to

figre ot what air *re""re wa" all abot# It looked +"t likethi"#

3o*gn" are !o"in" to re!i*ro!ating air and water *m*"& a" well a" *i"ton-ty*e engine"# In all!a"e" yo have a !ylinder with a high *re""re "ide and a low *re""re "ide# $hatever "lide"

ba!k and forth in the !ylinder ha" to form a "eal with it "o *re""re doe"nt leak *a"t#

In ga"oline engine" the ta"k i" a!!om*li"hed with at lea"t two ring" whi!h fit into ma!hined

grove" in the *i"ton# They "*ring ot gently again"t the "ide" of the !ylinder& a" indi!ated bygreen in the !taway ill"tration 1the third *r*le ring i" for oil2# $hen the ring" get worn ot&

the engine be!ome" weak and ineffi!ient be!a"e "ome of the *re""re blow" by the ring" in"tead

of *"hing on the *i"ton#
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26/47

6or air and water *m*" a !*-"ha*ed *ie!e of leather 1red in the !taway ill"tration2often

make" the "eal# It !leverly "e" high-*re""re air or water to *"h the leather again"t the !ylinder

wall# The higher the *re""re that m"t be !ontained& the harder the leather "eal i" *re""ed#

0ere i" a link abot an air *m* modified for the rigor" of *m*ing * water ro!ket"# It ha" a

*i!tre that !learly "how" the leather !*# The re"t of thi" )igfoot "itei" intere"ting a" well#

The 3O3 of a *o*gn !ome" from the "dden relea"e of air *re""re& whi!h !a"e" a "ho!k

wave#

5ac1 to the pop'un

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HOW TO MAKE THE T)HT;OPE

AC;O5AT4

What you need*

p#astic uti#ity pu##eys 2for do' #ines3

Smooth wheel" are hard to make nle"" yo have a ma!hine !alled a lathe# So thi" de"ign "e" 4

off the "helf *lley"# They are "old in bilding !enter" 1!hea*e"t2 and *et "tore" to tether dog"

to an overhead line& giving them lot" of room to rn withot entanglement# Try to find "omething

*retty !lo"e in "ha*e to the ill"tration& or yo will have to modify the bi!y!le de"ign#

I got the !hea*e"t& "malle"t one I !old find# If the *art that "ti!k" ot from the wheel i" m!h

wider than >& yo !an *hoto!o*y and enlarge the *attern ntil it fit"#
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27/47

"ai#s for $ei'ht

It i" the weight" --*o"itioned below the "tring-- that make the bi!y!le balan!e# I "e big nail"be!a"e they are readily available and !hea*# The "i.e of nail" i" denoted by the "omewhat

ar!hai! *enny# 6or one *ro+e!t I get >G twenty-*enny !ommon nail" 1abot 4D of a

*ond2#

ha#f-'a##on mi#1 cartons or poster %oard or cerea# %o@es.

:ilk !arton material i" @ite "tiff& bt yo have to "!ff * the "rfa!e where gle will "ti!k to it#

9o "hold al"o "!ff it before *ainting# 9o !an "e *o"ter board or !ereal bo(e" in"tead& thoghyo might have to add layer" to the a!robat" for greater rigidity#

duct tape or e#ectrica# tape

The ta*e will atta!h the nail" to the bar 1!oat hanger2# It will al"o !over the nail"# )oth d!t ta*e

and ele!tri!al ta*e !ome in a variety of !olor"#

P#iers( scissors( strin'( meta# coat han'er( '#ue 'un and '#ue stic1s( sandpaper 2if

usin' mi#1 cartons3

4tep +

4tart ma1in' the %icyc#e frame.

Cli!k hereand *rint ot the *attern# Che!k the *rinted *a*er to make "re it did not re-"!ale the

"i.e of the *attern# If it "ay" "omething like& S!aled-G5P try another brow"er# Net"!a*e "eem"to be the wor"t at re-"!aling#Remember& thogh& the *attern might have to be re-"!aled

de*ending what "i.e *lley yo have# /"e rolled ta*e dont" to "ti!k the *attern in "everal

*la!e" to the milk !arton or other !ardboard# Ct ot on the "olid line"# Take !are not to !t onthe da"hed line"#

6old on the da"hed line" in"tead# Remove the *a*er *attern and fold into the three dimen"ional

"ha*e "hown# Careflly gle it with the hot gle gn "o it "tay" together# )e !arefl# 0ot gle

!ome" ot hotter than boiling water# A" yo *re"" the tab to the body to adhere it& the hot glemight "@ee.e ot and dri* #

If "ing milk !arton& "!ff * the area" that will be gled& with "and*a*er#

4tep

#ue in the $hee#s and stren'then the frame.
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/images/pattern.gifhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/images/pattern.gif


28/47

7le the *lley" in with *lenty of hot gle& a" "hown# :ake "re the wheel doe" not rb again"t

the body# Contine to !oat the entire in"ide of the frame with it& too# The gle be!ome" a

"tr!tral !om*onent a" well a" adhe"ive# 9o need thi" e(tra "trength be!a"e the frame take" ahge amont of "tre""# )e *atient when a**lying the gle# If yo a**ly too m!h at on!e it dri*"

all over# A**ly a little& then do "omething el"e for awhile while it !ool"& before *tting more

on#

4tep 6

Attach the %ar.

$ith the *lier"& ntwi"t the ne!k of the !oat hanger and "traighten it ot a" be"t yo !an# 9o !an

find the middle of it by mea"ring or +"t balan!e it on yor finger# At that middle *oint& *t

"ome kind of bend in the wire# I know it !an be hard to bend "!h thi!k wire& bt it need" to be

done to kee* the wire from


29/47

rotating 1even in"ide the gle2& whi!h will kee* it from doing it" +ob when the the weight" go on#

Tr"t me on thi"#

It i" im*ortant that the bend" be within an area the "i.e of the the to* of the bi!y!le body 1"howna" orange in the ill"tration2#

7le the middle of the wire onto the to* of the bi!y!le frame& with the bend flat again"t the

!ardboard#

4tep 7

Attach the $ei'hts

)ndle H of the big nail" together# 0old them together with "ome ele!tri!al or d!t ta*e# 3"h

one end of the !oat hanger wire into the middle of the bndle of nail"# Then wra* more ta*earond the nail" and al"o arond the !oat hanger "o they "tay together#

4tep 8

Cut out and attach the acro%ats.

Cli!k hereand *rint the *age of for a!robat *attern"# /nfortnately& *eo*le "ing the Net"!a*ebrow"er are finding it i" re-"!aling the "i.e of the *attern"# E(*lorer and :o.illa "eem to be O;&

bt !he!k to make "re the *rint ot doe"nt "ay anything like S!aled-HP#Rogh 1bbble2 !tthe figre" ot# Sti!k the"e *attern" to the !ardboard 1milk !arton or other2 with ta*e dont" and

!t them ot# Remove the *attern"#
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/images/acrobatPat.gifhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/images/acrobatPat.gif


30/47

I make the bottom a!robat doble layer "o it" a "tronger ba"e for the two to* a!robat"# I +"t "ti!k

them together with hot gle# Ne(t lay ot the three a!robat"# If yo are "ing milk !arton& "!ff

with "and*a*er the *art" that overla* "o the gle will "ti!k#

7le the bottom a!robat onto the !y!le at the head and the two hand"# /"ing *ermanent !olored

marker" i" the ea"ie"t way to de!orate the a!robat"# 9o !old gle "ome white *a*er to the *rint"ide of milk !arton fir"t before de!orating# If yo *aint the milk !arton& the *aint will "ti!k better

if yo "!ff it fir"t#

)e!a"e making the ad+"tment" to make the a!robat" to balan!e i" ine(orably tied * with why

it work"& all of that information i" on the :ORE A)O/T )ALANCE *age#

5ac1 to the ti'htropeacro%ats pa'e.


home pa'e.




contact me

HOW TO MAKE THE T)HT;OPEAC;O5AT4

What you need*


MO;E A5O!T

5ALA"CE6or e(*lanation"& a!tivitie"



*i!tre#
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htm


31/47



to an overhead line& giving them lot" of room to rn withot entanglement# Try to find "omething*retty !lo"e in "ha*e to the ill"tration& or yo will have to modify the bi!y!le de"ign#

I got the !hea*e"t& "malle"t one I !old find# If the *art that "ti!k" ot from the wheel i" m!hwider than >& yo !an *hoto!o*y and enlarge the *attern ntil it fit"#

"ai#s for $ei'ht

It i" the weight" --*o"itioned below the "tring-- that make the bi!y!le balan!e# I "e big nail"

be!a"e they are readily available and !hea*# The "i.e of nail" i" denoted by the "omewhatar!hai! *enny# 6or one *ro+e!t I get >G twenty-*enny !ommon nail" 1abot 4D of a

*ond2#



9o "hold al"o "!ff it before *ainting# 9o !an "e *o"ter board or !ereal bo(e" in"tead& thogh

yo might have to add layer" to the a!robat" for greater rigidity#





usin' mi#1 cartons3

4tep +



"i.e of the *attern# If it "ay" "omething like& S!aled-G5P try another brow"er# Net"!a*e "eem"

to be the wor"t at re-"!aling#Remember& thogh& the *attern might have to be re-"!aledde*ending what "i.e *lley yo have# /"e rolled ta*e dont" to "ti!k the *attern in "everal


6old on the da"hed line" in"tead# Remove the *a*er *attern and fold into the three dimen"ional"ha*e "hown# Careflly gle it with the hot gle gn "o it "tay" together# )e !arefl# 0ot gle

!ome" ot hotter than boiling water# A" yo *re"" the tab to the body to adhere it& the hot gle

might "@ee.e ot and dri* #


32/47


4tep






on#

4tep 6

Attach the %ar.






33/47


Tr"t me on thi"#



!ardboard#

4tep 7

Attach the $ei'hts



4tep 8






34/47











home pa'e.




contact me


AC;O5AT4

What you need*




MO;E A5O!T




*i!tre#


35/47

to an overhead line& giving them lot" of room to rn withot entanglement# Try to find "omething

*retty !lo"e in "ha*e to the ill"tration& or yo will have to modify the bi!y!le de"ign#


"ai#s for $ei'ht

It i" the weight" --*o"itioned below the "tring-- that make the bi!y!le balan!e# I "e big nail"be!a"e they are readily available and !hea*# The "i.e of nail" i" denoted by the "omewhat

ar!hai! *enny# 6or one *ro+e!t I get >G twenty-*enny !ommon nail" 1abot 4D of a

*ond2#



9o "hold al"o "!ff it before *ainting# 9o !an "e *o"ter board or !ereal bo(e" in"tead& thoghyo might have to add layer" to the a!robat" for greater rigidity#


The ta*e will atta!h the nail" to the bar 1!oat hanger2# It will al"o !over the nail"# )oth d!t ta*eand ele!tri!al ta*e !ome in a variety of !olor"#


usin' mi#1 cartons3

4tep +



"i.e of the *attern# If it "ay" "omething like& S!aled-G5P try another brow"er# Net"!a*e "eem"to be the wor"t at re-"!aling#Remember& thogh& the *attern might have to be re-"!aled

de*ending what "i.e *lley yo have# /"e rolled ta*e dont" to "ti!k the *attern in "everal


6old on the da"hed line" in"tead# Remove the *a*er *attern and fold into the three dimen"ional

"ha*e "hown# Careflly gle it with the hot gle gn "o it "tay" together# )e !arefl# 0ot gle

!ome" ot hotter than boiling water# A" yo *re"" the tab to the body to adhere it& the hot glemight "@ee.e ot and dri* #



36/47

4tep






on#

4tep 6

Attach the %ar.






37/47


Tr"t me on thi"#



!ardboard#

4tep 7

Attach the $ei'hts



4tep 8






38/47











home pa'e.




contact me


AC;O5AT4

What you need*


MO;E A5O!T




*i!tre#


39/47



to an overhead line& giving them lot" of room to rn withot entanglement# Try to find "omething*retty !lo"e in "ha*e to the ill"tration& or yo will have to modify the bi!y!le de"ign#


"ai#s for $ei'ht

It i" the weight" --*o"itioned below the "tring-- that make the bi!y!le balan!e# I "e big nail"

be!a"e they are readily available and !hea*# The "i.e of nail" i" denoted by the "omewhatar!hai! *enny# 6or one *ro+e!t I get >G twenty-*enny !ommon nail" 1abot 4D of a

*ond2#



9o "hold al"o "!ff it before *ainting# 9o !an "e *o"ter board or !ereal bo(e" in"tead& thogh

yo might have to add layer" to the a!robat" for greater rigidity#





usin' mi#1 cartons3

4tep +



"i.e of the *attern# If it "ay" "omething like& S!aled-G5P try another brow"er# Net"!a*e "eem"

to be the wor"t at re-"!aling#Remember& thogh& the *attern might have to be re-"!aledde*ending what "i.e *lley yo have# /"e rolled ta*e dont" to "ti!k the *attern in "everal


6old on the da"hed line" in"tead# Remove the *a*er *attern and fold into the three dimen"ional"ha*e "hown# Careflly gle it with the hot gle gn "o it "tay" together# )e !arefl# 0ot gle

!ome" ot hotter than boiling water# A" yo *re"" the tab to the body to adhere it& the hot gle

might "@ee.e ot and dri* #


40/47


4tep






on#

4tep 6

Attach the %ar.






41/47


Tr"t me on thi"#



!ardboard#

4tep 7

Attach the $ei'hts



4tep 8






42/47











home pa'e.




contact me

$el!ome to Air Srfing 1A;A $alkalong 7liding2%7allery of*eo*le like yo air-"rfing#

$here toby thin foamor 8I9#

Link" to all *attern" here#If yo are tea!hing a gro* how to fly here are "ome idea"#

0i"tory of air-"rfing #

$alkalong glider bio-mimi!ry#

MO;E A5O!T




*i!tre#
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/WalkalongFlightGallery.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/store.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Patterns.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/TeachGroups.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/TeachGroups.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/Walkalong_Glider_History/Walkalong_Glider_Inventor's_Interview_Page.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/BuchwaldBionics.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/index.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/WalkalongFlightGallery.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/store.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Patterns.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/TeachGroups.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/Walkalong_Glider_History/Walkalong_Glider_Inventor's_Interview_Page.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/BuchwaldBionics.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tightrope/moreAbout.htm


43/47

0ang glider" "tay * the "ame way&here" how# Alternate S!hoolTbe link#

)a!k to the "!ien!etoymaker main *age

It look" like magi!% /n-*owered glider" are levitated and !ontrolled withot any vi"ible mean" of

"**ort# I" it magneti"mF Stati! ele!tri!ityF It'" a "!ien!e my"tery waiting to be e(*lored# The

!on!e*t of $alkalong flight ha" been known among !reative aero"*a!e "!ienti"t" for ageneration& yet it remain" the !oole"t thing yo've never "een# Now& a handfl of *eo*le arond

the world are !ollaborating to make air "rfing a!!e""ible=e"*e!ially to "tdent"#

Air "rfing i" not e(*en"ive# 9o will have to follow dire!tion" at fir"t and *ra!ti!e& bt it'" no

more diffi!lt than& "ay& learning to !ook# And like !ooking& on!e yo learn the ba"i!" there areendle"" *o""ibilitie" for !reative innovation#

7ETTIN7 STARTE8

To get "tarted flying yor"elf& here are D glider de"ign" that are good to "tart with# Cli!k on the

name or the *i!tre#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qOhdl9c7rshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qOhdl9c7rshttp://www.schooltube.com/video/25d7e1c7573941430e6c/How-Hang-Gliders-Stay-in-the-Airhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qOhdl9c7rshttp://www.schooltube.com/video/25d7e1c7573941430e6c/How-Hang-Gliders-Stay-in-the-Airhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/


44/47

$ith theS*inny

)g& yo

get twotmbling

glider"

ot ofea!h

*ie!e of

foam#They are

theea"ie"t tomake and

"lowe"t

flying=

*erfe!tfor

!rowded

ho"eQ abit tri!ky

to lan!h

at fir"t##Cli!k

hereor

the

*i!tre#

The

Thom*"o

nJagwing

i" al"o a

goodde"ign to

"tart

with#

Inventedby

!ollege

"tdent:i!hael

Thom*"o

n& it'"ea"y to

bild and

ha" great

trn and*it!h

"tability#

Cli!khereor

the

*i!tre#

The )aby

)gi" "oeffi!ient

that yo

mightlearn to

fly with

onlyhand" or

head

defle!ting air# It'"

a littlemore!hallengi

ng to

ad+"t&

bt fromthe "!ra*

from

foam"heet yo

!an make

two moregood

flying

glider"#

Cli!khere#

3A3ER VS# 6OA:
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/spinnyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/Jagwing.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/BabyBug.htm


45/47

9o need thin-"li!ed foam for the"e beginning de"ign"# At fir"t& everybody want" to "e familiar

*a*er& bt *a*er i" m!h heavier and diffi!lt to work with=not a good !hoi!e for "tarting ot

with# 9o !anby the thin-"li!ed foam for a" little a" 4B !ent" a "heet#Or if yo're handy& makeit yor"elf#I've "aid that *a*er i" diffi!lt and heavy# It be!ome" lim* and "ele"" in hmid

weather& bt if yo are determined that yo m"t "e *a*er&herei" a *a*er de"ign to try# Thi"

video e(*lain"why I "tarted woth *a*er glider"& bt "wit!hed to foam#

A8VANCE8 AIR S/R6IN7

On!e yo are flying& there are "o many dire!tion" to go with it# 9o !an learn how to fly with

only yor hand" or head defle!ting the air# That really look" like "!ien!e fi!tion% /"e the 6or!e%Some of my "tdent" have learned to engage in aerial !ombat, dogfighting& three dimen"ional

+o"ting#

OT0ER 8ESI7NS

The :ama )gi" a m!h

larger& advan!ed de"ign 1"een

here !om*ared to "maller
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/store.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1i_LMCvPX0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWVDCTXtXZkhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/MamaBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/MamaBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/store.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/HotWireCutFoam.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1i_LMCvPX0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWVDCTXtXZkhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/MamaBug.htm


46/47

glider"2# The :ama )g ha" a

DB !m wing "*an# )igger

glider" are a!tally moreeffi!ient flyer" and they work

well for both new *ilot" and

advan!ed 1hand"-only flight&aerial !ombat2# )ilding the

:ama )g i" "imilar to the

)aby )g& bt it" 4 *ie!e" offoam ta*ed together# That"

the tri!ky *art# Cli!k hereor

on the *i!tre#

9o !an al"o nlea"h yor engineering and arti"ti! "elf by de"igning new air-"rf flying

!reatre"# )io-mimi!ry i" imitating biologi!al life form"& and yo !an dream * "ome whim"i!al!reation"# 0ere i" what "ome *eo*le are !reating#

$AL;ALON7 7LI8ER 0ISTOR9 AN8 NE$ 8IRECTIONS

Like all good "!ien!e di"!overy "torie"& walkalong gliding hi"tory i" fll of *eo*le with

n!onventional way" of looking at the world& !ata"tro*hi! and fortito" a!!ident"& "erendi*ito"in"ight"& !ro""-*ollination& !ommnity and !ollaboration# Air "rfing hi"tory i" here and yo !an

"ee interview" with the hi"tori!al innovator" here#And yo !an "ee link" to 9oTbe video" of

other *eo*le doning intere"ting thing" with walkalong glider"#

Conta!t
http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/MamaBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/BuchwaldBionics.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tumblewing/peopleHistory.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/Walkalong_Glider_History/Walkalong_Glider_Inventor's_Interview_Page.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/Walkalong_Glider_History/Walkalong_Glider_Inventor's_Interview_Page.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.htmlhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airsurf/MamaBug.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airSurfKit/BuchwaldBionics.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/tumblewing/peopleHistory.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/Walkalong_Glider_History/Walkalong_Glider_Inventor's_Interview_Page.htmhttp://www.sciencetoymaker.org/CONTACT.html


47/47

electrostatic levitation

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