Balloon Rocket

 

In this experiment, you will observe how THE Force works by building your own model balloon rocket. Discover physics, forces, and how they can cause motion!

Standards included in this lesson: K-PS2-1, 3-PS2-1, CCSS.MC.K.MDA.1

Materials

  • String (track for rocket)

  • Balloon

  • Wide straw 

  • Tape

  • Scissors 

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Procedure

Step 1

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Locate an area for your track to be set up. You can tie or tape both ends of the track to trees or even two chairs. Your track can be set up either inside or outside. Your choice!

Step 2

Cut a piece of string that is at least 3 feet longer than the length of your track area. 

Step 3

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Thread the cut string through a wide straw. Make sure that the straw is at least 4 inches long. 

Step 4

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Blow up a balloon and be sure not to tie it. Keep the air inside sealed by pinching the end of the balloon with your fingers. 

Step 5

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Use a piece of tape to attach the balloon to the straw. TIP: If needed, ask a friend or family member for help securing the balloon to the straw. 

Step 6

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Now, make sure that your balloon is at one end of the track. Let go of the end of the balloon so that the air is released. Watch your rocket take off!!

 

Science Explanation

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade . . .

  • When the balloon rocket is released, is it being pushed or pulled along the track? (Answer: pushed)
  • Does the rocket move in the same direction or different direction than it is pushed in? (Answer: same direction)
  • Observe what happens when air is slowly released out of the balloon compared to when the air is released quickly? (Answer: when the air is released slowly, the balloon rocket will move slower along the track. When the air is released quickly, the rocket will move faster along the track).
  • What happens when the rocket is released in a different direction? (Answer: the rocket will take off in the direction you set up your track to be in)
  • K-PS2-1

3rd Grade - 5th Grade . . .

  • Think about what happens if you and a friend push against each other with the same force. Neither of you go anywere!
  • But, what happens when you push harder than your friend? Your friend probably loses their balance and falls over!
  • This is because all motion in the universe is controlled by forces. A force is a push or pull on an object.
  • Even though there are no beings on Earth who can control forces with their mind like Jedi, forces are all around us and bind the universe together!
  • If the forces acting on an object are balanced, like if you and your friend push each other with the same force, the object does not move.
  • If the force is greater in one direction, like if you push harder than your friend, the forces are no longer balanced and the object will move.
  • When do you think your balloon rocket has balanced forces acting on it and when does it have unbalanced forces? (Answer: Before you release the balloon, it has balanced forces, so it does not move. When you release the balloon and let it launch, it has unabalanced forces, so it moves).
  • When the air is released out of the balloon, what happens?
  • It goes forward! This is because the force of the air being released pushes the balloon along the track.
  • 3-PS2-1

Math Extensions

Kindergarten . . .

  • How long did you cut the string for your track (how many feet)?
  • Which one is longer, the string for your track or the straw your balloon is attached to?
  • CCSS.MC.K.MDA.1

Written by Saarah Rangwala and Julia Wang Inspired by: KiwiCo

 
3rd, KErin WangThe STEAM Machine IncPhysics