Similarly to our air table, ice is slippery because there is so little friction. Ice is covered in a thin layer of water, which reduces the friction between the ice and whatever is pressing down on it. However, scientists are still uncertain as to how this water layer forms – is it due to the heat of friction melting the ice as you walk? Or does ice naturally have a layer of liquid water on its surface?

The same principles explained here to power a hovercraft, creating a cushion of air to allow the vehicle to hover over different surfaces (including water!). Click here to learn how to make your own mini hovercraft