A CD, balloon, and sport drink cap are assembled into a simple hovercraft that demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion and the reduction of friction. Air from the balloon escapes downward through the CD hole, lifting and moving the hovercraft.

1. Provide each student with a CD, a balloon, and a sport drink cap with a pop-out nozzle.
2. Attach the cap to the shiny side of the CD, ensuring the holes align, using hot glue or duct tape.
3. Stretch the balloon over the nozzle of the cap.
4. Inflate the balloon through the cap and pinch its neck to hold the air.
5. Place the hovercraft on a smooth surface.
6. Release the balloon and observe the hovercraft glide.

Emily's Science Lab - Create Your Own Hovercraft - UFO Science Experiment - Emily Calandrelli:

Science experiment: How to make a CD balloon hovercraft - Kidspot:

📄 Balloon Hovercraft - Science World: https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/balloon-hovercraft/

📄 Make a balloon hovercraft - Fizzics Education: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/150-science-experiments/force-movement-experiments/make-a-balloon-hovercraft/?srsltid=AfmBOooQV8Tx2Uq3YWhZ42xBnVhjL0dyCF3DAd1bsCsTE2WQAYm8tdSd

• Use balloons of different sizes to compare speed and duration of motion.
• Test hovercrafts on different surfaces to compare friction effects.
• Add small weights to explore how load impacts motion.

• Use caution when handling hot glue guns, adult supervision recommended.
• Ensure balloons are not overinflated to avoid bursting.
• Check that CD edges are smooth to prevent scratches.

• When the balloon is released, where does the air go? (It escapes downward through the CD hole.)
• What is the equal and opposite reaction according to Newton’s Third Law? (The downward push of air creates an upward lift on the hovercraft.)
• Why does the hovercraft move more easily when the balloon is inflated? (The air reduces friction by creating a thin cushion between the CD and the surface.)
• How could you design an experiment to test how balloon size affects speed? (Inflate different balloon sizes, measure hovercraft travel distance/time, and compare results.)