Kugel fountain facts for kids

How a Kugel fountain works: * (A) Water flows between the ball and its holder, lifting the ball a tiny bit. * (B) Water spills over the sides into a pool below. * (C) A pump sends the water back up in a continuous loop. * (D) This is the pump that keeps the water moving. * (E) You can easily push the ball and make it spin!

A kugel fountain is a special kind of water sculpture where a huge, heavy ball seems to float and spin on a thin layer of water. The word "kugel" comes from the German language and simply means "ball" or "sphere." These amazing fountains often feature balls made of heavy stone, like granite, that can weigh thousands of kilograms – that's as much as a small truck! But thanks to a clever trick with water, you can often push and spin these giant balls with just your hand.

How Do Kugel Fountains Work?

Kugel fountains work because of a cool science trick called "hydrostatic bearing." Imagine a thin film of water flowing between the giant ball and its special, curved base. This water is under pressure, and it creates a super slippery cushion that lifts the ball just a tiny bit. Because the ball is floating on this water cushion, there's almost no friction. This is why even a very heavy ball can be spun easily by hand!

The ball doesn't actually float like a boat because it's much heavier than water. Instead, it's supported by the powerful flow of water. Engineers can even control the water flow so that the ball's spinning direction changes all the time, making it even more fascinating to watch. Sometimes, instead of a ball, you might see large rings that spin in a similar way.

Where Can You Find Kugel Fountains?

You can find kugel fountains all over the world! They are popular attractions in many places, especially at:

• Science museums, where they help show off cool physics principles.
• Shopping centers, adding a unique touch to the environment.
• Hotel lobbies and public gardens, creating a peaceful and interactive display.

These fountains are a great example of how science and art can come together to create something truly amazing and fun to interact with.

Images for kids

• 

  A nine-ton celestial globe being spun by a child.

• 

  A kugel fountain at Lansdale Station in Pennsylvania, USA.

• 

  A kugel fountain in Dueren, Germany.

• 

  A world globe kugel fountain at the United States Naval Institute in Annapolis, Maryland.