How to Create a Balloon Powered Race Car
Sir Issac Newton famously proved that "to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This means that if an object pushes against another object, it gets pushed with an equal amount of force as it exerts. This law of motion is the main idea behind balloon-powered cars, which are able to move because of the force of the air from the inflated balloon pushing the car in the opposite direction. Balloon-powered cars can be taught as a lesson to children in grade school, allowing them to understand Newton's third law of motion.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 Plastic lids from soft-drink or water bottles
- Hand drill or power drill
- 1 6 x 4 inch rectangle of cardboard
- 1 Straight straw
- 1 Bendable straw
- 2 Bamboo skewers
- 1 Balloon
- 1 Rubber band
- Tape
- Scissors
- Plasticine or putty
Instructions
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1
Let an adult drill a hole in the middle of each plastic lid that is big enough for a bamboo skewer to go through.
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2
Cut the straw in half and tape one half to each end the cardboard, across the shorter side.
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3
Put a bamboo skewer through each straw half to make the axles and place a wheel on onto the ends of the skewers, using the plasticine to keep each wheel snug on the ends of the skewers.
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4
Cut the longer portion of the bendable straw to make it the same length as the shorter sides of the cardboard piece.
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5
Blow up the balloon and release the air several times to ensure that the rubber is sufficiently stretched and place the open end of the balloon over one end of the bendable straw. Close the opening with the rubber band, wrapping it tightly around to avoid air escaping.
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6
Turn the cardboard over so it rests on the wheels and tape the bendable straw lengthwise across the platform, with a portion of the straw visible over the end of the car.
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7
Inflate the balloon using the straw and pinch the balloon to avoid letting air out. Once you place your balloon-powered car on a clean, smooth surface, let it go and watch it speed across the room.
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Tips & Warnings
To change speed, alter the size of your wheels.
Always have an adult use drills and sharp scissors.
