Concepts

Bernoulli's principle

Overview

A roll of toilet paper is mounted on a stand that is clamped on the table. A leaf blower is aimed at the topmost part of the toilet paper roll. When the leaf blower is turned on, it produces a stream of air across the top of the roll and reduces the pressure above the paper, thus lifting and ejecting the toilet paper in the direction of the air stream.

Details

Equipment

• [1] Leaf blower
• [1] Roll of toilet paper
• [1] Lab stand
• [2] 90-degree clamp
  
• [1] Aluminum rod
• [1] C-clamp

Classroom Assembly

1. Slide a rod into the centre of the toilet paper roll.
2. Clamp the rod horizontally to a lab stand.
3. Clamp the lab stand to the table.
4. Connect the leaf blower to a power source.

Script

1. Aim the leaf blower slightly over the top of the toilet paper roll, tilting up slightly.
2. Turn on the leaf blower.
3. Notice that the toilet paper unrolls rapidly in the direction of the air stream.

Additional Resources