Experimenting with Balloon Rockets Materials (per group) string plastic straw 3 balloons (12'' long) safety goggles pencil 3 squares of index card metric ruler marker masking tape Advance Prep For each group, cut 3 index cards into 5 cm squares each. Cut a string to a length of 8 meters. Hints and Tips Be sure students try to inflate the balloons to the same degree for each trial, and release each balloon from the same point on the string. Safety Note Make sure students handle the sharpened end of the pencil with care. Remind students not to overinflate balloons. Additional Comments You may wish to have students perform the experiment several times to see if they get the same results. Students may wish to find average distances for each opening size after several trials.
Activity Rubrics Scoring Key 4 correct, complete, detailed 3 partially correct, complete, detailed 2 partially correct, partially complete, lacks some detail 1 incorrect or incomplete, needs assistance Experimenting with Balloon Rockets Scoring Criteria Student made a hypothesis about the size of a balloon s opening and distance it would travel. Student identified and controlled variables and experimented to test hypothesis. Student measured different sizes of balloon openings and distances the balloons travelled. Student collected and interpreted data by making a chart and studying a graph. Student communicated by stating conclusion. Score total points % equivalent
Name Date Experimenting with Balloon Rockets State the Problem How does the size of a balloon opening affect how far a balloon rocket travels along a string? Formulate Your Hypothesis If you make the opening of a balloon smaller, will the distance the balloon rocket travels be reduced? Write your hypothesis. Identify and Control the Variables The opening of the balloon is the variable you can change. The amount of air in each balloon and the size and shape of the balloon must remain the same. You must also release the balloon at the same point each time. Test Your Hypothesis Record your data in the chart below. Collect Your Data Length of blown-up balloon: cm Opening Opening size Distance balloon moves Large Medium Small
Name Date Interpret Your Data Use the data from your chart to make a bar graph. State Your Conclusion Distance traveled by balloon rocket (m) Balloon Rocket Travel and Opening Size 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Large Medium Small Size of opening How does your hypothesis compare with your results? Explain how the size of the opening affects the distance a balloon rocket can travel. Inquire Further How far would the balloon rockets travel if the string was held on an incline rather than horizontally? Develop a plan to answer this or other questions you may have. Self-Assessment Checklist I made a hypothesis about the size of a balloon s opening and the distance it would travel. I identified and controlled variables and experimented to test my hypothesis. I measured different sizes of balloon openings and the distances the balloons travelled. I collected and interpreted data by making a chart and studying a graph. I communicated by stating my conclusion. Notes for Home Your child experimented to determine how far a balloon rocket will travel. Home Activity: Ask your child to explain which variables were controlled to complete the experiment.
Name Date Experimenting with Balloon Rockets State the Problem How does the size of a balloon opening affect how far a balloon rocket travels along a string? Formulate Your Hypothesis If you make the opening of a balloon smaller, will the distance the balloon rocket travels be reduced? Write your hypothesis. Identify and Control the Variables The opening of the balloon is the variable you can change. The amount of air in each balloon and the size and shape of the balloon must remain the same. You must also release the balloon at the same point each time. Test Your Hypothesis Record your data in the chart below. Collect Your Data Length of blown-up balloon: cm Opening Opening size Distance balloon moves Large Medium Small
Name Date Interpret Your Data Use the data from your chart to make a bar graph. State Your Conclusion Balloon Rocket Travel and Opening Size 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Large Medium Small Size of opening How does your hypothesis compare with your results? Explain how the size of the opening affects the distance a balloon rocket can travel. Large hole allows air to escape before balloon can travel very far. Small hole does not give enough propulsion to move rocket. Inquire Further How far would the balloon rockets travel if the string was held on an incline rather than horizontally? Develop a plan to answer this or other questions you may have. Answers will vary. Distance traveled by balloon rocket (m) Self-Assessment Checklist I made a hypothesis about the size of a balloon s opening and the distance it would travel. I identified and controlled variables and experimented to test my hypothesis. I measured different sizes of balloon openings and the distances the balloons travelled. I collected and interpreted data by making a chart and studying a graph. I communicated by stating my conclusion. Notes for Home Your child experimented to determine how far a balloon rocket will travel. Home Activity: Ask your child to explain which variables were controlled to complete the experiment.