Make your rockets scream with these little little balloon rockets and learn about motion air pressure, sound and the concept of Bernoulli.
Weather you are using our balloon kits or party kits, these little rockets just go screaming across the room. Add some fishing line and a straw and you can conduct a mini-experiment looking at speed.
Multiple balloon rockets or our kit- Pump
- Safety goggles
- Straws
- Masking Tape
- Fishing Line
- Scissors
- Ear protection (optional)
Remember
1. Balloons can pop into small multiple pieces. Ensure small children or pets are not around to swallow rubber pieces.
2. Fishing line strung across the room may pose a hazard. Tall people may walk into it, so tie a few coloured balloons at the beginning and end of the line to make it more visible.
3. Sound may scare pets and small children.
Tie one end of the fishing line to one object and thread the straw onto the line.- Find another object some distance away (~3-4 meters) and secure the other end of the line on that object.
Please ensure it is SAFE. Mark the line so that you and others do NOT walk into it.
Pump the balloon up to the desired length and prevent the air from escaping by holding the end.
Use the masking tape to attache the top of the balloon to the straw.- Get your stop watch ready and let go!
Measure the time it takes when inflated to different amounts.- Enjoy
Check out the ‘Wacky Science’ video of this experiment and ‘What’s Going On’ series link. They are currently ‘In Production’, so check back soon…..
These balloons highlight a law put forward by a VERY famous scientist called Isaac Newton.
The law was his 3rd Law and known generally as:
‘Equal and Opposite Reaction’
 This means that when a force pushes in one direction, there is an equal (but opposite) reaction force in the other direction. In our balloon example, as the air inside the balloon gets pushed outwards, the air pushes on the inside of the balloon. This causes the balloon to shoot forward as the air escapes.
The air coming out of the balloon is known as the ‘action’ force’ and the balloon moving in the opposite direction is known as the ‘reaction’ force.
If you would like
– more details,
– pictures of the second half of the experiment
– information on how to investigate this further
– links to everyday examples
– management hints & teaching pointers (5P Teacher develpoment program)
 ….. then why not subscribe to one of the following
(1) Crazy science Club
(2) 5P Teacher Training course called ‘Looney Lab  Classroom Creations‘
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Or you can purchase the ‘Bright Sparkes Guide’ of this demonstration only ($2.50) which has:
- HD pictures of experiment steps
- Detailed explanation of science
- Mini-challenge section (another experiment)
- Making it a ‘Scientific Method’ experience
- Graphing opportunities
- REAL links and descriptions to everyday examples of concept.
Action & Reaction: Cartoon animation @ Studyjams on Newton’s 3rd Law
Force: A force is a push, pull or twist.
Pressure: The amount of force in a certain amount of area.