Balloon Racers Project Directions

Part # 1

Due Date: ______

Objectives:

Ø  To create a balloon race car for maximum speed and distance

Ø  Recall and apply knowledge of Newton’s Laws of Motion

Ø  Recall and apply knowledge of average velocity (Average Velocity = Distance/Time)

Newton's three laws seem to work perfectly on the chalk board, but in real life we find that surfaces are seldom frictionless and that few moving objects are truly predictable. This is because outside forces interfere with Newton's perfect situations. Balloon racers rely on Newton's third law of motion. As the air rushes backward out of the balloon it pushes the car forward in the opposite direction with an equal force. Your job is to make the most of this force! While building balloon racers we will discover how difficult it can be to make something work reliably.

The rules for this project:

·  The car must be capable of traveling at least ______ meters.

·  The car must be powered by no more than 2 balloons (9-inch standard balloon).

·  The car may not leave the ground.

·  You can build the car out of anything except pre-made car parts or intended toy building materials such as Legos.

·  Wheels must be made out of something that was not originally meant to be used as a wheel and cannot be from a toy car.

·  The car must have a minimum of 3 wheels.

Cars that follow all of the rules will be eligible for awards. These awards will be given in three categories:

1.  Best Looking Car

2.  Fastest Car

3.  Farthest Distance Traveled

Race:

·  Cars will be tested on a smooth flat surface.

·  Distance is measured from the starting line to the farthest point of travel, utilizing a straight line to connect the two points.

·  Car must move a minimum of ______meters.

·  In case of a tie, a race will be held.

Balloon Racers Project

Part # 2

Due Date: ______

Write a f paragraph typed paper. Please answer the following questions.

1.  Explain the purpose of the balloon race project?

2.  Explain what you learned in the process of creating your vehicle?

3.  Explain why you liked or disliked working on this activity?

4.  Explain how all 3 of Newton’s Laws of Motion relate to this activity?

(at least 5 sentences per paragraph)

**Helpful Hints

There are several important things to keep in mind when designing and building your balloon racer. The first thing to do is choose the material to build the chassis or body of the car. The chassis should be both light and sturdy, for this reason Styrofoam makes a very good chassis. It is also important to design a chassis that is long enough. Short cars tend to spin out more often than longer ones. A good car should be about 30 cm long.

The second thing to do is build and mounts the wheels. Wheels can be made out of almost anything that is round, such as CDs, bottle caps, and lids. The hard part, however, is getting them mounted straight with little friction. If the wheels are not mounted straight or are not free to spin smoothly, the car will not perform well.

If the car has a sturdy but light body, free moving wheels and a good power supply, you are well on you way to being a balloon racer champion.

Do your best!