Bernoulli Balloon | English | Fun with Air

Summary

This experiment demonstrates Bernoulli's principle using simple materials like paper cups, straws, and a balloon. By creating a hole in each cup and slits in one, the experiment shows how air velocity affects pressure. When air is blown through the straw into the cup without slits, the balloon sticks due to lower air pressure inside. With slits, external air enters, balancing the pressure and allowing the balloon to move away. This hands-on demonstration offers a clear visual explanation of Bernoulli’s principle, making it accessible and engaging.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experiment demonstrates Bernoulli's theorem using simple materials.
• 😀 The required materials for the experiment include two paper cups, a knife, two straws, scissors, and a balloon.
• 😀 Holes are made in the bottom of the paper cups to insert the straws.
• 😀 One of the paper cups has slits made in it, which allows air to pass through.
• 😀 The purpose of the slits is to allow external air to enter and equalize pressure during the experiment.
• 😀 The balloon is inflated and placed on the paper cups during the experiment.
• 😀 When air is blown through the straw into a cup without slits, the balloon sticks due to low pressure created by high velocity air.
• 😀 In contrast, blowing air into the cup with slits allows the balloon to move away, as external air compensates for the low pressure.
• 😀 The experiment highlights how velocity and pressure interact as described by Bernoulli's theorem.
• 😀 The experiment clearly shows that Bernoulli's principle works through the behavior of the balloon, which sticks or moves depending on the air pressure and flow velocity.
• 😀 The setup offers a simple and effective visual demonstration of Bernoulli's principle in action.

Q & A

What is the main principle demonstrated in the experiment?

The experiment demonstrates Bernoulli's Theorem, which states that an increase in the velocity of a fluid results in a decrease in pressure.

What materials are needed to perform this experiment?

The materials required are two paper cups, a knife, two straws, scissors, and a balloon.

Why are there slits made in one of the paper cups?

Slits are made in one of the paper cups to allow air to flow through, which helps demonstrate the effect of airflow on pressure in the experiment.

What happens when air is blown through the straw in the cup without slits?

When air is blown through the straw in the cup without slits, the balloon sticks to the cup due to the high air velocity inside the cup causing low pressure, which creates a pressure difference between the inside and the outside.

How does the presence of slits affect the experiment?

When the cup has slits, air from outside enters the cup, balancing the pressure inside and outside. As a result, the balloon does not stick to the cup and moves away, demonstrating the effect of external air pressure.

Why does the balloon stick to the cup without slits?

The balloon sticks to the cup without slits because blowing air through the straw increases the air velocity inside, which lowers the pressure inside the cup. The outside pressure is higher, causing the balloon to be sucked toward the cup.

What does the balloon's behavior in the cup with slits reveal about fluid dynamics?

The balloon's behavior in the cup with slits reveals how external air can balance the internal pressure when there is high air velocity. This demonstrates the relationship between air pressure and velocity as described by Bernoulli’s principle.

What role does the balloon play in this experiment?

The balloon acts as a visual indicator of the pressure difference created by the airflow inside the cup. Its movement or stillness shows how changes in air velocity and pressure affect physical objects.

How is Bernoulli's principle applied in this experiment?

Bernoulli’s principle is applied in this experiment by showing how the velocity of the air changes the pressure inside the cup. The high velocity of air decreases the pressure, leading to different behaviors in the balloon, such as sticking to the cup or floating away.

Can the outcome of the experiment be observed without the slits in the cup?

No, the outcome of the experiment would not demonstrate the full effect of Bernoulli’s principle without the slits. The slits allow outside air to enter, helping to balance the internal pressure, which is crucial for observing the behavior of the balloon.