Fishing Line Guide Wire, Long Balloons
Fishing Line Guide Wire, Long Balloons, Soda Straws, and Tape

 

Code Number: 1N22.25

Demo Title: Balloon Rockets

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Action & Reaction

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Fishing Line Guide Wire, Long Balloons, Soda Straws, and Tape.

Procedure:

Have two people stretch the guide wire across the front of the classroom.  Blow up one of the balloons and tape it onto the soda straw guides.  Release the balloon and watch it travel as a rocket across the room.

References:

  • 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, "Racing Rocket Balloons",  National Geographic Kids, p. 127.
  • Borislaw Bilash II and David Maiullo, "Law of Interaction -- Newton's Third One", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 65.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Create a Balloon Rocket", Super Science Challenges, p. 120.
  • Janice VanCleave, "2, Blast Off", Engineering For Every Kid: Easy Activities That Make Learning Science Fun", p. 11.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "C.11. Water Rocket, Rocket Balloon, and Balloon-Powered Helicopter", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 33 - 34.
  • Sara Stein, "Balloon Rocket", The Science Book, p. 167.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Law of Interaction - Newton's Third Law“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 234.
  • Julius Sumner Miller, Q83 & A83, Millergrams I – Some Enchanting Questions for Enquiring Minds, p. 54 & 105.
1N22.25 - Balloon Rockets