Floating Ball

Ever think that levitation was simply a trick for the movies, or some far-off science fiction dream? Think again! With a little bit of science know-how, it's easy to levitate a small ball using only a straw, some paper and tape, and some good old-fashioned lung power. Follow along with these simple steps and you'll be levitating in no time, while learning some awesome science along the way!

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Materials you'll need

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1
Cut a circle out of a piece of paper. Then cut a slit to the center of the circle.

Step 2
Roll the circle into a cone and tape it in place.

Step 3
Cut off the tip of the cone, just wide enough for the straw to fit through. Tape the straw in place.

Step 4
Cut off the tip of the cone, just wide enough for the straw to fit through. Tape the straw in place.

Step 5
If you'd like, decorate your cone to look like a monster!

Step 6
Take a piece of tinfoil and roll it into a small ball.

Step 7
Blow into the straw and carefully place the ball in the airstream. If you get the placement right, your ball should levitate and spin!

Fact
This experiment is a great example of Bernoulli's principle in action. Bernoulli was an 18th century mathematician who proved that the faster a fluid (like water or air) moves, the lower the pressure it creates. When you blow into the straw, you are creating a column of fast moving, low-pressure air. Your tinfoil ball gets blown upwards, and then stays within the stream because the stationary air around it is at a higher pressure!