Ping Pong Surprise

For this stunt, you’ll need a ping pong ball and a plastic water or soda bottle.

Carefully cut the plastic bottle in two about one third of the way down from the top.  We want the top half and won’t need the bottom half or the cap.

That’s it, we’re done!  The rest is all build-up.

Show how light your ping pong ball is.  How you can blow it so easily from hand to hand.

Now, drop the ball into your soda bottle top and challenge your friend, your big strong friend, to put his head back and blow the ball out of the bottle top.

Warn  him not to tip his head down and just drop the ball out.  He has to aim upwards, give a strong blow, and send the ball flying out.

When he does, he’ll be surprised to find the harder he blows, the more the ball stays put!  You can tease him as desired.

This demonstrates Bernoulli’s Principle. As the air rushes around the ball, it reduces the air pressure beneath it.  The normal air pressure above the ball holds it in place.

You can use a kitchen funnel, too, and even turn your head down (while you’re still blowing) and the ball will stay inside.

It’s really an unexpected action so give it a try yourself.