How to Do the Water Balloon Submarine Project
Submarines work through special mechanisms that take on an expel water. When the sub takes on water, it becomes heavier and sinks. When it expels water, it becomes lighter and rises to the surface. Try demonstrating these principles in the form of a science project. Whether at home or in a classroom, your kids can entertain themselves with a homemade toy and learn without even trying. Plus, they'll be more likely to retain the information for future applications.
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Things You'll Need
- 20-ounce soda bottle
- Utility knife
- Awl
- ¼-inch diameter rubber tubing
- Small balloon
- Aluminum tape
- Large, clear plastic tub
- Water
Instructions
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1
Rinse out and remove the label from a 20-ounce plastic soda bottle. It should be as clean as possible so you can see inside it easily.
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2
Cut six ¼-inch wide rectangular windows around the body of the bottle, spacing them evenly. These windows will allow your submarine to take on water and sink.
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3
Poke a hole through the center of the bottle cap with an awl. Continue poking until the hole widens to about ¼ inch. It doesn't matter if the edges are a little ragged.
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4
Slip the end of a ¼-inch diameter rubber tube through the cap. Fit a balloon over the end of the tube on the inside of the cap. Tape the balloon to the tube with aluminum tape, sealing it tightly.
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5
Slip the deflated balloon inside the bottle and screw the cap on tightly.
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6
Fill a large, clear, plastic tub with water. Set the bottle on top of the water and suck on the tube to remove all air from the balloon. The bottle should sink. If it doesn't, push on it gently to help it fill with water.
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7
Blow into the tube to inflate the balloon. As the balloon inflates, it pushes water out of the bottle and the bottle should rise to the top of the water again.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
