8/12/2019 ActivityDescription_RocketBalloon

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Rocket BalloonYour ctivityLearn about action / reaction through a balloon that flies like a rocket

MaterialsBalloonStraight Straw

1 long piece of Kite String (10 15 ft long)

TapeTwo Chairs

Create1. Tie one end of the string to a chair, door knob, or other support.2.Put the other end of the string through the straw.

3.Pull the string tight and tie it to another support in the room.4. Blow up the balloon (but don't tie it.) Pinch the end of the balloon and tape the balloon to the

straw as shown above. You're ready for launch.5. Let go and watch the rocket fly!6. Experiment

a. Does the shape of the balloon affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?b. Does the length of the straw affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?c. Does the type of string affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels? (try fishing line, nylon

string, cotton string, etc.)d. Does the angle of the string affect how far (or fast) the rocket travels?

Science TopicsPhysics, Force and Motion

Whats going onAs the air is released out of the balloon in one direction, the force propels the balloon in the other direction. The result is theballoon flying across the string like a rocket! This demonstrates Newtons Third Law of Motion every action has equal andopposite reaction. So how does it work? It's all about the air...and thrust. As the air rushes out of the balloon, it creates aforward motion called THRUST. Thrust is a pushing force created by energy. In the balloon experiment, our thrust comes fromthe energy of the balloon forcing the air out. Different sizes and shapes of balloon will create more or less thrust. In a realrocket, thrust is created by the force of burning rocket fuel as it blasts from the rockets engine - as the engines blast down,the rocket goes up!

8/12/2019 ActivityDescription_RocketBalloon

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Rocket Balloonctivity Lead Notes

Introduction

In this activity, students learn about action and reaction.

Background

The rocket balloon is a good example of Newtons third law of motion. It states, To every action there is an equal and

opposite reaction. This means that if object A pushes on object B, object B pushes back on object A with the same

amount of force. In the case of rocket balloon, the air is pushed out of the balloon in one direction and the balloon is

pushed in the opposite direction.

Materials

See activity sheet for the list of materialsProcedure

Give out material to each child (or team). Put activity instructions in the sign holder. Ask kids to follow the steps in the activity instruction. This can also be made into a team completiontry to figure out which balloon goes faster than the another

based on the variables

Takedown

N/ADiscuss Student Observations

Vary the amount of air in the balloon and try the experiment again. What do you observe? Try a different size of balloon. What do you observe? What conclusions can you draw from your observations? Try a different type of string. What do you observe? What conclusions can you draw from your observations? Put one chair on top of a desk. Try moving the balloon up an inclined plane. What do you observe? What

conclusions can you draw from your observations?

Describe how what you have observed in your activities relates to Newtons Third Law of Motion. What other things in the world around you might also act in the same way? Draw a picture of what occurred in your Balloon Rocket activity. Label all parts of your diagram, carefully

detailing what happened.

Source

http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/balloonrocket.php

http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/balloonrocket.phphttp://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/balloonrocket.phphttp://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/balloonrocket.php