Curriculum links:
- Physics – Forces and energy – Exploring moving objects
Learning objectives:
- Investigate how rockets move using balloons.
- Explore guided movement of projectiles
Materials:
- Large balloons
- Balloon pump
- String
- Straw
- Sellotape
- Chairs
Safety:
- Mind the children around balloons and string
Instructions:
In this experiment the children can learn the basic concept of a rocket using a balloon! The air coming out of the back of a balloon pushes it forward, just like the hot burning gasses rushing out of the back of a rocket push it forwards and off the earth.
- Blow up the balloon and let go (long shaped balloons may work better as they look more like a rocket). Notice what happens, the balloon flies off in a random fashion as the air rushes out the back of it.
- Now control the path of the balloon by sellotaping on a piece of straw and running the string through it. Tie the string between two chairs, when the balloon is released it shoots along the string. The children can set up two lanes and race balloons!
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