Seibun Mind-Development® Activities

Hovercraft LAB 5 – Finding the Fan Strength

• Purpose – To find the relative force produced a Seibun Hovercraft Kit

Information

A force is any push or pull. The strength of a force is measured in units called Newtons. The unit is named after Sir Isaac Newton, the man responsible for naming and describing three basic laws of motion.

A Newton is a combination of other units. A Newton is actually a combination of the acceleration and mass of an object (meters per seconds squared and Kilograms). For now, concentrate on the idea that a force is a push or pull.

In this experiment the force of the fan pushing the Hovercraft will be found. Pennies have a mass around 2.5 grams. The number of pennies and the total mass will be used to help find the force of the fan.

• Equipment

  • Seibun Hovercraft, smooth surface

  • Rectangular cookie sheet and water works well...

  • Tape, thread, plastic sandwich bag, pennies

Procedure

1.      Find a smooth and level surface. Filling a large, rectangular cookie pan with water works well for a very level and smooth surface.

2.      Turn on the Hovercraft then place it on the smooth surface.

3.      Try the Hovercraft out and observe the direction the Hovercraft moves.

4.      Adjust the fan so the Hovercraft moves forward in a straight line.

5.      Cut a 30 cm (12 inches) piece of thread then tape it to the back of the Hovercraft.

6.      Tie the plastic bag to the other end of the thread.

7.      Set the Hovercraft against the edge of the surface with the bag hanging over the edge or the surface.

8.      Turn on the Hovercraft and make sure the Hovercraft can move forward while pulling the plastic bag.

9.      Add one penny at a time until the Hovercraft CANNOT pull the bag upward or when the Hovercraft is pulled backward by the weight of the pennies.

10.  Count the number of pennies.

11.  Multiply the number of pennies by 2.5 to find the number of grams the Hovercraft can pull.

12.  Divide the number of grams by 100 to find Newtons of Force the Hovercraft fan generates.

Conclusion

1.      How many pennies was the Hovercraft able to pull without being pulled backward?

2.      How many grams was the Hovercraft able to pull?

3.      How many Newtons of force were produced by the Hovercraft fan?