Balloon Puck Set
Product Specification Sheet
Balloon Puck Set
Model Number: MTM-64
The Balloon Puck Set from Micro Technologies is a simple mechanics apparatus designed to explore the laws of motion without requiring an air table. Each puck uses air escaping from an inflated balloon to create a thin air cushion between the puck and a smooth surface, significantly reducing friction. The set includes two pucks, two balloons and a plastic fork for popping balloons during selected demonstrations.
Product Specification
The Balloon Puck Set from Micro Technologies is a practical physics apparatus developed for demonstrating fundamental concepts of motion, inertia, friction, collisions and momentum using a simple air-cushion principle.
The apparatus provides a convenient alternative to a conventional laboratory air table for introductory mechanics demonstrations.
Each puck is designed so that an inflated balloon can be attached to it. When air from the balloon is released through the puck, the escaping air forms a thin cushion between the bottom surface of the puck and the supporting table.
This air cushion significantly reduces direct contact between the puck and the surface, thereby reducing friction.
With friction minimized, the puck can move more freely across a suitable smooth surface. This makes it easier to observe motion that more closely approximates idealized mechanics conditions.
The apparatus can be used to demonstrate Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object tends to remain at rest or continue moving with constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force.
On an ordinary table, friction quickly slows a moving object. With the Balloon Puck Set, the reduced-friction air cushion allows the puck to continue moving for a longer period.
Students can therefore compare motion with and without significant friction and observe the effect that friction has on moving bodies.
The Balloon Puck Set can also be used for collision experiments.
Two air-supported pucks can be set in motion toward one another, allowing students to observe changes in their directions and velocities following a collision.
Such experiments can introduce concepts involving momentum and conservation of momentum.
Momentum can be represented by:
p = mv
where:
p = Momentum
m = Mass
v = Velocity
By observing the motion of the two pucks before and after collision, students can develop a practical understanding of how momentum is transferred between interacting bodies.
A particularly useful feature of the set is the supplied plastic fork, which can be attached to one of the pucks.
The fork can be used to pop the balloon on the other puck during an experiment.
When the balloon is punctured, the air cushion is lost and friction between the puck and supporting surface increases sharply.
This creates a dramatic visual comparison between low-friction and normal-friction motion.
The experiment helps students understand that an object does not require a continuous force simply to remain in motion under ideal conditions. Instead, forces such as friction are responsible for changing or reducing its motion.
The apparatus can support investigations involving inertia, force, acceleration, friction, collisions and momentum.
Because the system uses balloons rather than a powered air supply, it eliminates the need for a dedicated air table, compressor or blower for basic demonstrations.
The compact arrangement makes it suitable for laboratory benches and instructor-led classroom demonstrations.
For effective operation, the pucks should be used on a smooth and reasonably level surface so the air cushion can minimize friction effectively.
The complete set includes two pucks, two balloons and a plastic fork.
Manufactured and supplied by Micro Technologies, the Balloon Puck Set provides a simple and engaging solution for practical demonstrations of motion and low-friction mechanics.
Features
- Balloon-powered puck apparatus
- Two air-cushioned pucks
- Two balloons included
- Plastic fork included
- No air table required
- No compressor required
- Air cushion reduces friction
- Suitable for laws-of-motion experiments
- Demonstrates inertia
- Suitable for collision experiments
- Supports momentum demonstrations
- Allows friction comparison
- Works on suitable smooth surfaces
- Compact laboratory design
- Simple experimental setup
Benefits
- Provides low-friction motion without an expensive air table
- Makes Newton's laws easier to visualize
- Clearly demonstrates the influence of friction
- Allows students to observe inertia practically
- Two pucks enable collision experiments
- Supports momentum and energy discussions
- Balloon-powered operation simplifies setup
- Plastic fork enables dramatic friction-change demonstrations
- Compact apparatus is easy to use and store
- Suitable for repeated mechanics demonstrations
Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Balloon Puck Set |
| Product Type | Low-Friction Motion Demonstration Set |
| Number of Pucks | 2 |
| Air Source | Inflated Balloons |
| Balloons Supplied | 2 |
| Plastic Fork | Included |
| Operating Principle | Air-Cushioned Motion |
| Surface Requirement | Smooth, Level Surface |
| Friction | Significantly Reduced During Air Flow |
| Air Table Required | No |
| Compressor Required | No |
| Primary Study | Laws of Motion |
| Additional Studies | Friction, Inertia & Collisions |
| Operation | Balloon Powered |
| Use | Physics / Mechanics Laboratory |
Set Components
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Balloon Pucks | 2 |
| Balloons | 2 |
| Plastic Fork | 1 |
Applications
- Laws of motion experiments
- Newton's First Law demonstrations
- Inertia experiments
- Friction demonstrations
- Low-friction motion studies
- Collision experiments
- Momentum demonstrations
- Conservation of momentum studies
- Force and motion experiments
- Mechanics laboratory practicals
- Air-cushion demonstrations
- Physics laboratory experiments
Available Variants
Balloon Puck Set, Air Cushion Puck Set, Low Friction Puck Apparatus, Balloon Air Puck Apparatus, Motion and Friction Puck Set, Collision Puck Set, Physics Lab Balloon Pucks
SKU System
MT-BPS-Series
FAQs
What is a Balloon Puck Set used for?
The Balloon Puck Set is used to demonstrate motion, inertia, friction, collisions and momentum using low-friction air-cushioned pucks.
Does the Balloon Puck Set require an air table?
No. One of its main advantages is that it can demonstrate low-friction motion without a conventional air table.
How does a Balloon Puck work?
Air escaping from an inflated balloon passes through the puck and forms a thin air cushion underneath it, reducing friction with the supporting surface.
How many pucks are included?
The set includes two balloon pucks.
Are balloons included?
Yes. Two balloons are supplied with the set.
Why is a plastic fork included?
The plastic fork can be attached to a puck and used to puncture the balloon on the other puck, allowing students to observe how motion changes when the air cushion disappears and friction increases.
Can the set demonstrate Newton's First Law?
Yes. The reduced-friction motion helps demonstrate the principle of inertia and Newton's First Law of Motion.
Can collision experiments be performed?
Yes. The two pucks can be used for suitable collision and momentum-transfer experiments.
What type of surface should be used?
For best results, the pucks should be operated on a smooth and reasonably level surface.
Does the apparatus require electricity?
No. The pucks use air supplied by inflated balloons, so no electrical power or compressor is required.
Why Choose Our Products
- Manufactured and supplied by Micro Technologies
- No conventional air table required
- Two-puck experimental configuration
- Balloons and plastic fork included
- Suitable for low-friction motion experiments
- Useful for inertia and collision demonstrations
- Simple balloon-powered operation
- Compact and convenient laboratory setup
- Institutional and bulk procurement available
- OEM supply requirements supported
Call to Action
Explore motion, inertia, friction and collisions with the Balloon Puck Set from Micro Technologies. Its simple air-cushioned design provides an effective alternative to a conventional air table for practical mechanics demonstrations. Contact us for institutional pricing, bulk laboratory procurement, OEM supply and customized quotations.
