Ballon Powered Vehicle

By Michael Rust •

Grade Level	12th
Subject Area	Physics
Duration	2 class periods (3 hours total)
Setting	Standard Classroom
Background Knowledge	This lesson is designed for a 12th grade physics class. The major concept this lesson has been designed for is Newton’s 3rd Law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We want the students to understand how this applies to the power source of their vehicle. As the balloon expels its air, it exerts a force on the air behind the vehicle which then exerts a force in the opposite direction (on the vehicle) thus causing it to move forward.
Author	Michael Rust

Summary
Students are given the task of designing a vehicle that is powered by an air-filled balloon. Their goal is to have their vehicle go the farthest while also maximizing their cost efficiency. Students can work in groups of two and each group will be given the same set of materials which have been assigned fixed costs. A competition will be held to determine the design that went the farthest, the most creative design, and the top overall (cost effective and distance).

Objectives
Students will be able to: 1. Design and construct a vehicle with constraints 2. Understand the concept of Newton’s 3rd Law 3. Explain their design in written and oral manner

Materials Required
Balloons, straws, life savers, construction paper, tape, paper clips, scissors, toothpicks, buttons, aluminum foil, and string.

Ohio Standards

Science

• Grade 12 – Physical Science. D. 5.

o Use and apply the laws of motion to analyze, describe and predict the effects of forces on the motions of objects mathematically

• Grade 12 – Science and Technology. A. 3.

o Research how scientific inquiry is driven by the desire to understand the natural world and how technological design is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems