Exploding Gliders
Learn how to make an exploding glider using pressure!
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to virtual outreach to youth.
Do not throw your glider toward another person or animal.
What To Do
To form the glider, each student will:
- Place two sticks beside each other to make an upside down V shape.
- With the next two sticks, they are going to make an X shape inside the V shape.
- Place the third stick so it touches the bottom end of the left side of the V and goes across to the middle of the right side of the V (see photo in attached guide).
- Tuck the fourth stick underneath the middle of the left side of the V, but on top of the third stick you placed.
- Tuck the other end of stick 4 underneath the end of the bottom right side of the V.
Now they can launch their glider! Watch the sticks come apart and 'explore' if they hit the floor or a safe target! They can try making different shapes to see which make the best exploding glider.
Discovery
The craft sticks in the glider are held together by pressure (a force that is over a specific area). They are bent a little because they have energy stored in them - called potential energy. When they hit a surface hard enough, like a wall or the floor, the sticks move and the energy stored gets released, causing the glider to explode!
What's Happening?
The craft sticks in the glider are held together by pressure (a force that is over a specific area). They are bent a little because they have energy stored in them - called potential energy. When they hit a surface hard enough, like a wall or the floor, the sticks move and the energy stored gets released, causing the glider to explode!