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I found myself wanting more out of my Levitron, which levitates a small top about six inches into the air using a pair of magnets, but scaling it up is both beyond my price range and inefficient, considering that we have the Bernoulli Effect.
Basically, the faster you push air around something, the less air that actually pushes the object. The air will flow around the object, and the object will lift into the air.. It's part of what keeps airplanes flying, too.
Anyway: Let's get to the levitating, already! ; )
In this Instructable, I'll show you how to use this principle to float a variety of objects, including 2-liter plastic soda bottles, soda cans, a screwdriver, a ping-pong ball, and your pet hamster! (Not really, but you could :P )
Basically, the faster you push air around something, the less air that actually pushes the object. The air will flow around the object, and the object will lift into the air.. It's part of what keeps airplanes flying, too.
Anyway: Let's get to the levitating, already! ; )
In this Instructable, I'll show you how to use this principle to float a variety of objects, including 2-liter plastic soda bottles, soda cans, a screwdriver, a ping-pong ball, and your pet hamster! (Not really, but you could :P )
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Signing UpStep 1What We'll Need:
This project won't require much, it's pretty easy.
We'll need something that can propel a lot of air, like a Blowdryer or a leaf blower. These don't have to be anything special, although you do get a little bit more power out of a gas-powered leaf blower.
Some open space if you're going to use a powerful blower, (I suppose you could use an electric leaf blower inside, though).
Something to levitate:
Table-tennis balls work well with the hair dryer, but other small, light things can work, too.
Using a leaf blower opens a lot more possibilities, like beach balls (these are the absolute best if you can find one ((or two!))), or two liter bottles, etc. (Anything without too many corners, and isn't too heavy. Think about how much a small apple weighs, and you have an idea of what we're looking for.)
Some ear protection for the youngsters is a good idea.
We'll need something that can propel a lot of air, like a Blowdryer or a leaf blower. These don't have to be anything special, although you do get a little bit more power out of a gas-powered leaf blower.
Some open space if you're going to use a powerful blower, (I suppose you could use an electric leaf blower inside, though).
Something to levitate:
Table-tennis balls work well with the hair dryer, but other small, light things can work, too.
Using a leaf blower opens a lot more possibilities, like beach balls (these are the absolute best if you can find one ((or two!))), or two liter bottles, etc. (Anything without too many corners, and isn't too heavy. Think about how much a small apple weighs, and you have an idea of what we're looking for.)
Some ear protection for the youngsters is a good idea.
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http://www.rjtaylor.net/products/airship/johnny_astro.htm
It would be a simple matter to make one now, but I had a lot of fun with the Johnny Astro. My Dad did too, I heard him playing with it on Christmas Eve as he was putting out the toys with Mom. I had it for a long time and later hacked it into something else. If anyone wants to make an instructable on how to build this, or modify the leaf blower to make a controllable yoke, I'd like to see it.
Nick Hein
WV