"Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure" is a beloved Halloween special featuring the beloved characters from the popular children's television show, Sesame Street. This enchanting adventure takes viewers on a magical journey as the Sesame Street gang gets ready for Halloween. The special begins with Big Bird feeling sad because he doesn't know what to be for Halloween. Elmo, Cookie Monster, and the other Sesame Street residents come together to help him find the perfect costume. They go on a magical adventure, visiting different locations and encountering various friendly monsters and creatures. Throughout their journey, the Sesame Street friends learn important lessons about friendship, courage, and the power of imagination.
I spent several weeks exploring different ways to get balls to float on a stream of air. The goal was to find ways to show Bernoulli's Principle and the Coanda Effect in action. Now, the Floating Balls demonstration is an important piece of my presentations at schools were I engage kids with "The Magic of Science". Let's first explore the demonstrations and then we will look at the science behind the "Magic Floating Balls"!
The Coanda Effect explains that a jet of fluid in our case a jet of air has a tendency to stay attached to a convex surface our ball is a convex object. However, this one is a one man operation and to do the method, you are able to do some interesting animations and levitations that are unique and different from what you may have seen.
Throughout their journey, the Sesame Street friends learn important lessons about friendship, courage, and the power of imagination. They also encounter spooky but funny situations, adding a touch of humor to the special. As they explore the enchanted world, their Halloween costumes magically come to life, allowing children to see their favorite Sesame Street characters in exciting new ways.
Magic Floating Balls - Bernoulli's Principle and the Coanda Effect Explained
I spent several weeks exploring different ways to get balls to float on a stream of air. The goal was to find ways to show Bernoulli's Principle and the Coanda Effect in action. Now, the Floating Balls demonstration is an important piece of my presentations at schools were I engage kids with "The Magic of Science". Let's first explore the demonstrations and then we will look at the science behind the "Magic Floating Balls"!
How to Make Magic Floating Balls
- Balls: Inflatable Beach Ball, Ping Pong Balls, Nerf Balls, and more
- Blower: Leaf Blower, Hair Dryer, Air compressor
- Fog (optional): Fog Machine, Fog Juice
Note: Because this is a physics demonstration (see explanations below), you must understand that the force of the air moving upward must overcome the force of gravity pulling the ball downward - this means you will have to find a ball and a blower that are a good match.
Point the stream of air (leaf blower, hair dryer, etc) upward and gently place a ball into the stream of air. The ball should hover (as long as it is the right size and weight for the stream of air you are using). Then tilt the stream of air from side to side to model Bernoulli's Principle and the Coanda Effect.
Magic Floating Ping Pong Ball - Physics with BealsScience.comExplanation of the Magic Floating Balls Demonstration
This demonstration has a lot of simple and complex physics concepts. First we need to understand forces. The stream of air (we will call this our "jet") provides a force on the ball. The direction of the force depends on what direction the jet is facing. If we face the jet upwards, the force "pushes" the ball upward. Gravity is also acting upon the ball and it provides a force that pulls the ball downward (toward the earth). When these two opposing forces are equal, the ball hovers in the jet of air. But, why doesn't the ball just fall off to the side of the jet and then fall to the earth? Let's start with Bernoulli's Principle.
Modeling Bernoulli's Principle and the Coanda Effect - Beals ScienceWhat is Bernoulli's Principle?
Bernoulli's Principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid (in this case a jet of air) causes a decrease in the pressure of the air. And because air flows from areas of high pressure toward areas of low pressure, you end up with some interesting pressure dynamics around the ball.
Let's think about our spherical ball. As the air hits the ball, aerodynamics cause the air to move around the outside of the ball. As it does, the space where the air is moving right next to the ball is constricted (there is less space for it to move) This constriction on all sides forces the air to move at a different speed (it speeds up slightly) than the air around the ball that is not directly touching the ball. This increase of speed causes an area of low pressure all around the outside of the ball. This even pressure around the outside of the ball holds the ball in place - it 'holds' it in the jet of air. But, Bernoulli's Principle does not explain the whole story. In order to fully understand what is happening, we must understand the Coanda Effect. (More info)
What is the Coanda Effect?
The Coanda Effect explains that a jet of fluid (in our case a jet of air) has a tendency to stay attached to a convex surface (our ball is a convex object). This physics principle helps us understand why the ball stays in the jet of air. If you watch the video carefully you will see that the balls wobble in the jet. This is caused by a lot of external factors (wind, movement of the blower, momentum, etc). As the ball starts to move out of the jet, the Coanda Effect explains that the jet of air on all sides 'adheres' to the ball, thus pulling it back into the center of the jet.
The Coanda Effect is best modeled when the jet is held at an angle and the ball stays in the jet. The fast moving air "sticks" to the ball and holds it in place in the lower pressure zone of air! (More info)
The special captures the joy and wonder of Halloween, while also emphasizing the importance of kindness and acceptance. In "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure," children are introduced to the thrill of Halloween in a fun and safe way. The special features catchy songs, colorful visuals, and engaging storytelling, making it an entertaining and educational experience for young viewers. Overall, "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure" is a delightful Halloween special that combines the beloved characters from Sesame Street with the magic and excitement of the holiday. It provides children with valuable lessons and a memorable Halloween experience that they can cherish for years to come..
Reviews for "The Enduring Appeal of Sesame Street's Magical Halloween Adventure"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure". The storyline was weak and didn't engage my kids at all. The animation was choppy and low-quality, making it hard for my children to stay focused. The songs were lackluster and forgettable, not at all up to the usual standard of Sesame Street. Overall, the production felt rushed and lacking in creativity. It definitely didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure" to be incredibly boring. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The characters didn't do anything new or exciting, and their dialogue was clichéd. The whole episode lacked the charm and wit that Sesame Street is known for. I was hoping for an entertaining and educational Halloween special, but this was a complete letdown. I would not recommend it.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I thought "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure" missed the mark completely. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of confusing action. The costumes and set design were cheap-looking and unappealing. The jokes were flat and didn't elicit any laughter from my kids. It seemed like the writers were just going through the motions without putting in any real effort. This was definitely not one of Sesame Street's best offerings.
4. Mike - 1 star - As a longtime fan of Sesame Street, I was sorely disappointed with "Sesame Street Magical Halloween Adventure". The story lacked cohesion and failed to hold my attention. The characters felt one-dimensional and didn't have any memorable moments. The educational aspect was almost non-existent, with very little learning content. Overall, it felt like a waste of time and not up to the standards I've come to expect from Sesame Street. I would recommend skipping this one.