Balloon Powered Race Cars
Objectives:
Create a balloon powered car for maximum speed and distance
Recall and apply knowledge of Newton’s Laws of Motion
Recall and apply knowledge of average velocity
(average velocity = distance / time)
Materials:
9 inch standard balloon – maximum of two
Straw – maximum of two
Materials to construct car – varies based on group
Grading rubric
Rules:
1. Groups of 2 -3 people (that have not worked together on bridge
project).
2. The car must be powered by no more than two – nine inch standard
balloons.
3. The car can not use more than the two straws allotted.
4. The car must have at least three wheels. Wheels are defined as
anything that is round and goes around. The wheels CAN NOT be
wheels from a toy. They must be made out of something that was not
originally meant to be used as wheels!
5. The car can not leave the ground.
6. The car must be capable of traveling at least 5 meters to receive a
passing grade.
7. Car will be judged and graded and could win any or all of the
following competitions:
Best Looking Car (voted on by the class & one winner per
class)
Best Named Car (voted on by the class & one winner per class)
Fastest Car (in the first 5 meters) (winner by class and winner
over both classes)
Farthest Distance Traveled.(winner by class and winner over
both classes)
Procedure:
You will bring in materials from home and assemble your car in class.
On race day, we will set up a track in the room or hallway. Make sure your
wheels will work on the tile floor!
Cars must follow all of the rules to be eligible to win any of the awards.
Are you lost for ideas? Check out http:///pbskids.org/zoom . Search for balloon cars.
They have ideas and even car designs.
Balloon Racer Write Up
Each group will need a write up to complete the balloon racer project. The write up will
include the following information.
Title: Car/Group Name as title.
Introduction: The group will have an introduction that will catch a reader’s
attention and cause that reader to build their own balloon racer! Therefore, it
should be catchy and exciting!
Purpose: The group will explain what the purpose of the balloon racer project
and what will be learned from doing this project. Relate the project to Newton’s
Laws of Motion, average velocity, and any other topics related to physics. For
each topic that is related to the balloon racer project correctly (besides Newton’s
Laws and average velocity), 10 points will be added to the project as extra
credit.)
Rules: List the rules that have to be followed by all balloon racers.
Materials: The group will list the materials needed to build their balloon racer.
Procedure: The group will have a numbered list of step to take to build their
balloon racer.
WRITE UP IS DUE THE DAY OF THE RACE!
Balloon Racer Rubric
Name of Group/Car: ______________________________________________
Name of Group Members: ______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Total Distance Traveled: ___________________
Time in the 5 meters:
___________________
Velocity in the ____ meters: ___________________m/s
(______ meters / _____ sec = velocity in m/s)
Place a check by the following that apply:
Car moved at least 5 meters. ______
OR
Car followed all rules: ______
OR
RULES:
(+5)Car has only 2 none inch balloons used or less.
(+5)Car has only 2 straws used or less.
(+5)Car has at least 3 wheels or more.
(+3)Wheels are NOT from a toy.
(+2)Car did not leave the ground.
(+30)Car traveled at least 5 meters.
Car moved. ______
Car Disqualified ______
No car was turned in today. _______
Paper turned in. ______
(+2) Title - Car/Group Name as title
(+5) Introduction - It should be catchy and exciting!
(+25) Purpose – Explain purpose of project and relate to Newton’s Laws
(+3) Rules – List the rules that have to be followed by all balloon racers
(+5) Materials – List the materials needed for the balloon racer.
(+10) Procedure – Numbered steps that are specific.
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