Education
Bernoulli Station
What happens?
Pupils can explore some of the effects of air pressure at this exhibit. Each of the three stations produces a jet of fast moving air that supports a beach ball, even when it is tapped or rotated gently.
How does it work?
When the beach ball hovers in the vertical plane directly above the blower the upward thrust of the moving air is equal to the force of gravity acting on the ball. There is also a range of angles to the vertical for which the ball will also hover. Bernoulli's Principle explains how the uplifting force produced by the moving air balances the downward weight force. The movement of the air around the ball is such that it moves faster over the top than the bottom. The air pressure, caused by air molecules hitting the surface of the ball, is higher at the bottom of the ball than the top thus producing a resultant upward force to balance the weight force.
Why is it important?
This exhibit allows pupils to explore the basic concepts of aerodynamics (pressure and lift) and forces (pushes and pulls).
How does it relate to the primary curriculum?
- Science: Allows pupils to suggest ideas that can be investigated; provides opportunities for pupils to investigate how forces can affect the movement of objects.
How does it relate to the post-primary curriculum?
- Science: Allows pupils to investigate how forces can affect the movement of objects; provides opportunities to understand that a change in movement or direction results from unbalanced forces; provides opportunities to understand the physical properties of gases; provides opportunity to distinguish between mass and weight and the relationship between pressure, force and area.