Uploaded June 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
IMPORTANT UPDATE: By far the biggest problem with this project is finding bags that are thin enough. Most garbage bags sold through retail are much too thick and heavy. Until now the best I could do was suggest talking to janitors of offices who have access to very thin bags, or thin dry cleaning bags. However, Richard Brown, a math/science teacher at Watertown High School in Connecticut, informed me of a widely distributed bag that worked for him. Look for Ruffies 8 gallon Color Scents (they smell like vanilla) at department stores (at least in North America--people from other continents please let us know where you've found thin bags). If you Google it you can see what retail outlets sell them near you. At 8.9 microns the bags are half again as thick as the thin bags I use, but Rich got them to fly (you might have to use a fifth candle). bit.ly/2B0akSx
Links to the whole series and other science projects at sciencetoymaker.org This is Part 4 of 6 parts.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: By far the biggest problem with this project is finding bags that are thin enough. Most garbage bags sold through retail are much too thick and heavy. Until now the best I could do was suggest talking to janitors of offices who have access to very thin bags, or thin dry cleaning bags. However, Richard Brown, a math/science teacher at Watertown High School in Connecticut, informed me of a widely distributed bag that worked for him. Look for Ruffies 8 gallon Color Scents (they smell like vanilla) at department stores (at least in North America--people from other continents please let us know where you've found thin bags). If you Google it you can see what retail outlets sell them near you. At 8.9 microns the bags are half again as thick as the thin bags I use, but Rich got them to fly (you might have to use a fifth candle). bit.ly/2B0akSx
Links to the whole series and other science projects at sciencetoymaker.org This is Part 4 of 6 parts.
