Instructions to Build a Cartesian Diver

Introduction

A Cartesian diver is an object that is just barely positively buoyant. The diver is put inside a plastic bottle that is completely full of water and capped. When the bottle is squeezed the pressure increases and this compresses some air that is helping to keep the diver buoyant. When the air compresses the diver loses its buoyancy and it sinks to the bottom of the bottle. The diver will float to the top again when the bottle is released.

I have no idea how the Cartesian diver got its name.

Instructions coming soon.....

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Last modified: Sun May 3 21:32:54 1998