Let It Rip (Funky Physics Experiments)

You will need:

1. Cardboard roll (found
   under kitchen tissue
   roll)
2. 2-3 metres of thin elastic
   (or elastic drawstring)
3. Strong tape
4. A table

Learn the physics behind the flying tubes, by competing with your friends to see whose tube flies the farthest.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the table outdoors so that you may not break anything while conducting this experiment indoors.
2. Using the table length wisely, attach the elastic to one end of the table with tape. Make sure it does not come loose.
3. Next take your roll and coil the elastic twice around the roll. To wrap the elastic, turn the cardboard towards the side of the table where the elastic has been taped.
4. Now, take your elastic-rolled cardboard and stretch it backwards all the way to the other end of the table, or till the elastic is stretched to its limit.
5. When you’re ready, release the cardboard roll.

RESULT

With practice the cardboard (tube) will lift up into the air and fly some distance before falling back down on the ground. If the tube does not move fast, the air tends to stick to it. But because of the tension of the elastic the tube is released into the air with force, not only making it fast but also making it spin. This results in the air sticking to the part of the tube, which is moving with the air (the upper part), as opposed to the lower part, which is against the air. As a result, the air passing the tube gets pushed downward, pushing the tube upwards because of Newton’s second law.