Resources   What we'll learn about find out how to move a car with air from a balloon figure out what properties of the car and balloon affect that power see how far you can make a car go on air alone

What you'll need

• balloons of many shapes and sizes, from a craft or party store
• scissors
• tape
• rubber bands
• ruler/measuring tape/yardstick
• hand tire/balloon pump
• empty 1-liter paper milk cartons (1 per car)
• bobbins or spools for wheels
• thin wire for axles
• string and straws (optional)
• camera/video camera
• stopwatches, if available
• notebooks for journals, pens, pencils, markers

Getting started

• Mark off distances on the floor using the ruler to make a track for the cars.
• Have kids cut off one side of each carton. Attach the bobbins or spools as wheels, with the wire as axles.
• Punch a hole in the bottom of the carton, big enough for the end of the balloon to fit in.
• Blow up a balloon (don't tie it off), and set it in the car, with the end through the hole in the bottom (holding the balloon closed).
• Set the cars on the track, and release the balloon.
• Time and measure the cars' travel. Video or photograph the trials, too.
  

What next

Creation and invention:

• Come up with ways to make your car run better - different wheels, design, more/different balloons, etc.
  
• Can you attach the cars to the string to make them go straight?
  
• Create another vehicle you could power by balloon.
  

Discussion:

• Is it easier to use the pump or inflate balloons yourself?
  
• Does one shape of balloon work better than another - does it make the car go faster or farther?
  
• Is there a minimum of air to make the car go (number of pumps)?
  

Field trip possibilities: university that studies (air) propulsion hovercraft site propulsion exhibit at a local museum

Resources

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