Page 7 - My discovery Lab Volume 1/ Issue 1

Experiment 3: FACT: Forces can change the

Balloon rockets size, shape, and speed of an object
Do you think we can make a
balloon into a rocket? Yes we can!

LET’S DISCOVER:

Watch your parent blow up a balloon, what do you notice? Yes, it’s changed size and shape.

What happens when you let it go? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. You changed its size and shape, and you also made it move by releasing the
air from inside it, just like a whoopee cushion. We used forces to do this!
You will need from your box:
• Balloons
• Straws
• String
• Paper clips

Things from home:
• A large open space
• 2 chairs or 2 people to hold your string
• Permanent pens
• Strong tape (preferably duct tape but
masking tape will work too)

LET’S EXPERIMENT: https://youtu.be/ZNIKZVRj3nA

Get ready to design and launch your own rocket!
(1) Get your piece of string and thread it
through a straw

(2) Now tie your string to 2 chairs and pull the chairs
out so the string is tight

(3) Let your parents blow up a balloon, twist the end
closed and place a paper clip across it to stop it
from deflating

(4) Use a permanent pen to draw a super cool rocket
onto the side of your balloon

(5) Using the tape, stick the balloon onto the straw,
which should be at the end of one of the pieces of string

(6) Take the paper clip off the end of the balloon and let it go

HOW DOES IT WORK?:
It is a force that moves the balloon. When air is released from the balloon in one direction it pushes the balloon
forward in the opposite direction.

TIME TO EXPLORE - See what makes your rocket travel the furthest distance.
(1) Try a balloon with a few puffs of air in compared to one that is full of air
(2) Try a different shaped balloon

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