Riding On Air: How a Hovercraft Hovers

Overview

Objectives/Goals Our objective/goals was, if a certain amount of air (depending on the weight of the objects being placed on it) is let into the hovercraft then the hovercraft will hover. Methods/Materials We followed the instructions on Science Buddies to build our hovercraft. The three most important variables in this engineering/aerodynamic project would be the wood base, plastic sheet, and the leaf blower. Results If a certain amount of air is not let into the hovercraft, the hovercraft will not be able to rise or hover. Air is fluctuating inside the hovercraft at all times for it to be in motion. Also, the hovercraft speed (measured in cubic feet per minute) depends on the amount of weight the person sitting on it is. Conclusions/Discussion Our hypothesis was true. There needed to be a certain amount of air measured in cubic feet per minute for it to be hovering. Also, we learned that if there is too much air pressure in the hovercraft, it will burst and tear the plastic. We met our design criteria, which was that the hovercraft needed to hold a person that weighed at least 112 pounds.

Competition history

• CSEF 2016 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0103

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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