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Re: Hovercraft construction



Some where in my collection of videos is my recording of one demo'd at
an NCNAAPT meeting -- evidently there are many out there.

The first one I saw was a very small (no load- I think model airplane
using its prop.) one in '66 * built by the chief mechanician at Keele,
Physics (UK). He's the one who responded to my noting that the
building's doors didn't have panic bars w/, "Being British, we don't panic."

* About the time of the Channel hovercraft.

bc

Dan MacIsaac wrote:

I'm getting pretty excited about the idea of teaching mechanics
and building the ideas of inertia, circular motion and Newton's laws
using student-ridable hovercraft built with plywood. Arons discusses
the use of 50kg block of dry ice on glass to kinesthetically
experience inertia; I think the homebuilt hovercraft is the way to go,
easier to get and far more intrinsically motivational (fun & cool).

Having said this, I've have to admit I've never personally build a
homemade hovercraft. Does anyone have experience building these
things they could share with me? What airtrack sources? What
designs?

If successful I think we'd build several dozen as part of a teachers'
alliance and or summer academy course project.

Your suggestions are sought and welcome.

Dan M

Dan MacIsaac, Assistant Professor, Physics, SUNY Buffalo State College
222 SCIE BSC 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222 716-878-3802
<macisadl@buffalostate.edu> <http://PhysicsEd.BuffaloState.edu>