======Vacuum Power======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Vacuum Suction Board, Air Pressure Lifting Demonstration
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Measure the diameter of your vacuum’s tube attachment.  
  - Drill a hole of matching diameter in the center of a 3' x 4' plywood board.  
  - Attach weatherstripping around the perimeter of one side of the board to help form a tight seal.  
  - Thread rope through drilled holes to create two handles on the board.  
  - Insert the vacuum tube into the central hole and seal it with hot glue or additional weatherstripping.  
  - Turn on the vacuum and press the board against a smooth, flat surface such as a wall, ceiling, refrigerator, or whiteboard.  
  - Test the strength of the suction by pulling gently on the board or even using the straps to support weight.




====Links==== 

📄 Vacuum Power! (on page 60) - Aaron Adamson: [[https://www.unco.edu/nhs/science/pdf/demos/2011_CSC_demos.pdf]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try different board sizes to see how surface area affects suction strength.  
  * Use different types of vacuums (handheld, upright, shop vac) to compare performance.  
  * Experiment with sealing methods to test how airtightness affects suction.  
  * Test on different smooth surfaces (glass, metal, painted wall).  




====Safety Precautions====
  * Ensure the board is properly sealed and stable before attempting to hang weight.  
  * Do not hang full body weight unless absolutely certain of the vacuum’s strength and the board’s stability.  
  * Keep fingers away from the vacuum inlet when in use.  
  * Avoid testing on fragile or easily damaged surfaces.  
  * Always supervise children during the demonstration.  





====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does increasing the surface area make the suction effect so much stronger?  
  * How does atmospheric pressure contribute to holding the board in place?  
  * What happens if the seal is imperfect and air leaks into the system?  
  * How does this relate to real-world suction devices, like suction cups or industrial lifting equipment?  
  * Could this principle be scaled up for heavy lifting in construction or engineering?