BALLOON ROCKET

BALLOON ROCKET

Key idea: 
To every force there is an equal and opposite reaction force.

You will need:
• a length of fishing line or waxy string
• a means to attach the line or string to walls
• sticky tape
• a plastic soft-drink bottle
• plasticine
• Blu-Tack
• drinking straws
• long balloons
• paperclips.

Procedure:

1. String a fishing line across the room with a straw attached so it can slide along the line.
2. Use sticky tape to attach a balloon to the straw. Blow up the balloon and release it, pointing the balloon so it is propelled along the fishing line.

Explanatory note: 
The balloon rocket works on the principle of rocket
propulsion. This is what is meant by ‘to every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction’. The balloon forces air out as it deflates, and itself
experiences a force from the air in the opposite direction.

Resources:
Hubber, P. & Tytler, R (2005). Ideas for Teaching Science: Years: P-8. Burwood: Deakin University