Balloon powered car

http://www.questacon.edu.au

When air from the balloon moves in one direction, it forces the car to move in the opposite direction.

The Questacon Science Squad performs science shows in the Sydney metropolitan area. This is one of the many activities the Questacon Science Squad offers on its website to encourage young people to engage in science. Find out more at http://sciencesquad.questacon.edu.au

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• questacon
• science
• squad
• demonstration
• museum
• centre
• center
• education
• newton's
• law
• action
• reaction
• thrust
• propulsion

[Braden567890]

Hi you did awesome can you make a part2 but like a rocket please get back to me if you can alright

[QuestaconNSTC]

At the moment, we have no plans to update the website to expand on that particular activity. However a balloon powered rocket should be quite straight forward, as a balloon behaves quite similarly to a rocket already. Consider adding some light-weight fins to help your balloon fly straight. Or, perhaps, attach a straw to the balloon and feed a string through the straw. Let it go at one end and watch it fly down (or up) the string.

[SoNotLegit]

what caps did you use for the wheels?

[QuestaconNSTC]

@SoNotLegit Gatorade wheels, good luck!

We'd love to hear how it goes, so let us know!

[wakaphwap]

thumbs up if you need this for school

[SuperAlooi]

at the school project i failed hardly but then, what i used is a cardboard box, tape, thin bottle caps, and a ballon with out the straw, i actually did not use the straw because it makes ur car go further but slower. for an example if u make a monster truck and you used this type of method will it climb or go over anything i dnt think so well i tried the monster thing today, but i had my project long time ago, and ya i am in 8th grade and i will try to make a video about my project, or a CAR !!!

[QuestaconNSTC]

@ChiefExecutive07 When we conducted the experiment we didn’t measure how far the car travelled. However, based on our observations of operating the balloon-powered cars in a number of settings, the cars can travel a couple of metres. The distance that your car will travel will depend upon the materials that you use to construct the car and the surface on which you operate the car.

[ChiefExecutive07]

@QuestaconNSTC How far did your car travel, can you please reply back because i just want to estimate and find out how far mines will go. Thanks, Chief

[mzrandomvideos]

@joynte12 I love you, because i am the same.

[QuestaconNSTC]

We would recommend checking the following components of your car to make sure that it can function properly, check that:

1) the plasticine is holding your wheels in place,

2) the skewers (within the straws) are able to easily move,

3) the rubber band that is fastening your balloon to the straw isn’t attached too tightly (eg. preventing air from easily moving in and out of the straw/balloon) and

4) that you are testing the car on a clear, smooth surface.

Hopefully these hints help!

[joynte12]

ok my car is not moving and i followed the directions

[Zeroskater102100]

i have to do this in school and the car has to travel at least 5 meters