Balloon Hovercar

thingiverse

This hovercar was part of a project called "Make Something Cool." It doesn't float on air like real hovercars, but instead uses balloons and plastic wrap to create a bubble that makes it float. You can use this model in math and physics class to teach students about thrust. I've had boring physics classes where the teacher tried to explain thrust with whiteboard drawings, so this model is a great way to understand thrust-to-weight ratios and friction. To print this model, scale it down to 40-50% and use a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer. Make sure to turn on rafts and supports, and set the resolution to low. Use 7% infill, but be aware that any lower may result in a fragile part. After printing, you'll need to assemble the model using four regular-sized balloons, a LOW TEMP hot glue gun, a HIGH TEMP hot glue gun, several rubber bands, and a plastic wrap rectangle that's one to two inches larger than the base of your model. First, clean off any rafts or supports from your printed model. Then blow through each pipe coming out of the top to make sure air can pass through. If it can't, you may need to use a small drill bit to widen the hole. Next, find or purchase four balloons and blow one up to test that it can force air through each pipe. Use a LOW TEMP hot glue gun to attach the plastic wrap to the bottom of your model, then fold it up the sides and secure it with rubber bands. Finally, use a HIGH TEMP hot glue gun to melt the plastic wrap onto the sides of your model. To use the hovercar, inflate all four balloons to about half their maximum size and place them over the pipes in the model. Then try to release air from all four at the same time and see how far it travels. You can experiment with different surfaces and settings to get different results. I designed this model using Onshape, a CAD program that allows you to design and edit models online. The entire process took about 5 hours, including designing and assembling all the prototypes and models. This project is part of a larger collection called "Hovercar Forces." It's designed for kids as young as third grade who want to learn about physics and math in a fun way. The main forces demonstrated by this model are friction and thrust, and it can be used to teach students how these forces interact. Objectives: * To show kids that physics can be fun * To give them a basic understanding of some forces Audiences: * Elementary school science classes * Kids between 8-10 years old Relevant subjects: * Basic understanding of objects moving * Algebra (optional) Skills learned: * A basic understanding of forces * Simple math skills (depending on the student's level) Steps needed to complete this activity: 1. Assemble the hovercar using the instructions provided. 2. Gather students around a table and place all four balloons over the nozzles. 3. Slowly release air from all four balloons at the same time, allowing the hovercar to move forward. 4. Repeat the procedure on different surfaces. Duration: Approximately 0.5-1 hour Preparation: A pre-assembled hovercar is required for this experiment. It takes about four hours to print and assemble the model. References: * I used some formulas from physics classes, but otherwise designed this project myself. Handouts: * https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jndj0z3MluNBHIgyEJIoTIhNnPlf-zCJxRcjzSVspx0/ This is a possible worksheet for young students to fill out as they work.