Fluids are Fun - Fluidized Sand Bed

The Fluidized Sand Bed is a new addition to the ASME exhibit lineup, where participants get to see how a solid (sand) can act as a fluid under certain conditions. PVC tubes run through a container of fine play sand, and pressurized air is pumped through small holes in the tubes. The flow of air balances the weight of the sand grains, causing the sand to start flowing like a liquid! Small solid blocks will be added to the sand bed to show how objects can “float” and “sink” just as in water. This exhibit is based on a popular video by Mark Rober on YouTube, where the same experiment was performed on a larger scale with a hot tub full of sand. At this exhibit, participants can see how a solid, sand, can act as a fluid under certain conditions. The flow of air balances the weight of the sand grains, causing the sand to start flowing like a liquid! Come see how objects can "float" and "sink" just as in water.