Flying Ping Pong Balls - Free Science Experiments

Flying ping pong balls? 

Why the question mark? Must be time for the next science experiment! 

In this one we'll be making table tennis balls fly through the air, or not! We might even learn a thing or two about Bernoulli while we're at it!

Dragons Den Approved!

What Do I Need?

  • A Funnel
  • A ping pong ball or two
  • A straw
Flying Ping Pong Balls - What Do I Need?

How Do I Do It?

STEP1 - First we'll prove what we already know, you can blow a ping pong ball in the air! Pop a ping pong ball on top of a straw (those bendy straws are awesome for this) and blow through the straw smoothly and quite hard - the ping pong ball will levitate, somewhat beautifully!

STEP2 - That makes sense - You can obviously blow hard enough to lift up a ping pong ball! Now, put the straw down, tilt your head back and make that ping pong ball fly above your head!

STEP3 - Now for the weird bit! This is a great chance to get a volunteer to help out! Pop the ping pong ball into the funnel! Lift the funnel up (but keep it vertical) and blow up through the funnel to blow the ping pong ball out!

STEP4 - WARNING: Don't keep doing this till you hyperventilate - it's actually impossible!

Flying Ping Pong Balls - How Do I Do It?

What’s Going On?

This is all to do with Bernoulli's principle - he's one of those scientists that everyone's heard of but by no means everyone can remember what he said!

Bernoulli noticed that air has a lower pressure when it's moving more quickly. The air below the ping pong ball is moving more quickly than the air above it and so the air below has a lower pressure. 

Air naturally flows from high pressure to low pressure and it's this change in pressure that's 'sucking' the ball back into the funnel! Pretty cool, huh!

Flying Ping Pong Balls - What’s Going On?
More Fun Please! - Experiment Like A Real Scientist!
  • How can you blow the ping pong ball out? (It is possible!)
  • Does the size or shape of the funnel used make a difference?
  • Psst...to blow the ping pong ball out, simply blow sharply down and across the top of the funnel. The ball will shoot out! 
  • I just couldn't keep it to myself! Why does this work, though?
Want A FREE Science Experiment Book?

If you like fun science experiments then you'll love this FREE Science experiment book....

It's packed full of awesome experiments you can do at home with "stuff" you've already got. 

Your FREE Science experiment book is:

  • 5 Star Reviewed
  • Dragons' Den Approved
  • Yours completely FREE. 

Click Here to download your FREE copy now!

Your FREE Science Experiment Book!

Kids Party Coming Up?

If you like fun science experiments then you’ll love the Dragons’ Den winning Sublime Science Party. Check price & availability in your area and grab your FREE Kids Party Survival Guide right now!

Dragons Den Winning Science Party
Award-Winning Science Party

Home - About - Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Twitter - Sitemap - Blog - Contact


Copyright 2008-2023 - Sublime Science - All Rights Reserved - Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6680269. Registered Address: The Sublime Science Lab (Unit4) Fernleigh Business Park, Blaby Rd, Enderby, Leicester LE19 4AQ - Call: 0116 380 0750

50% Complete

You Just Couldn't Resist!

There's some serious science behind why you just clicked! 

If you'd like more awesome science experiments then enter your email address below and grab your FREE science experiment book!

You'll get your FREE copy of 'Don't Eat Your Slime', weekly 'Top Secret Science Experiment Printables' and occasional awesome offers. Happy experimenting!

Close
50% Complete

(enter your email address below to get your FREE science experiment book)

YES, I Want My FREE Experiment Book!

(You'll get your FREE copy of 'Don't Eat Your Slime', weekly 'Top Secret Science Experiment Printables' and occasional awesome offers. Happy experimenting! 

Close