Challenge your students to get the ping pong ball out of the cup* following this 1 rule:
~~They cannot touch the cup or ball with any part of their body.~~
The only way I know of to complete this task is to apply Bernoulli's Principle by blowing across the top of the cup and ball, allowing the ball to rise.
If that's too easy, you can add a second step to the challenge and have the students move the ball from one cup to another without touching anything.
*Try out the cup you plan to use ahead of time. If the cup is too deep, it won't work. If you use a paper cup, you can always cut the sides down. But, be careful, if the cup is too shallow, students will just blow the ball out and not put Bernoulli to use. I found that a cordial glass (see below for a cordial glass story) works well, if you have one shaped like mine!
Here's the story... when we were little (like, before we started school), my cousins, brother and I drank apple juice out of mini wine glasses at my Grandma's on special occasions, like Easter. I was in college before I realized that those glasses were not in fact miniature wine glasses made for small children to use when the grown ups were drinking wine, but were really cordial glasses. :) Who knew?!?!
Bernoulli: Ball in a Cup
Related Posts:
Air Pressure: Plungers!On a large scale: Get your hands on two plungers - new and clean would be preferable (I've actually seen small ones, perfect for this demonstration, a… Read More
Air Pressure: Penny in a BalloonPlace a penny inside an uninflated balloon.Blow up the balloon, most but not all the way. Tie the balloon.Dip a pin or needle in some cooking oi… Read More
Weather: How Much Air is Pushing on You?The air all around you is filled with molecules, all of which exert pressure on you. Picture this...You're standing upright. Rising straig… Read More
Air Pressure and Bernoulli: Rising PaperThis simple activity is a great introduction to Bernoulli. Cut strips of paper, about 1 cm wide.Hold a single strip up to your lip. What d… Read More
Air Pressure: Suction Cup Drink HolderEducation Innovations sells these neat rings that work like a suction cup to hold your drink. You slide a can or bottle into the ring, set it on… Read More