Balloon Powered Race Cars
Objectives to create a balloon powered race car for maximum speed to incorporate Newton's Laws of Motion to use the formula Speed= Distance / Time and analysis data for a correlation between mass and speed
Newton’s Laws Law 1 - Objects require a ____________ to make them ________. The also require a ____________ to make them ___________. FORCE MOVE FORCE STOP
Newton’s Laws What is a force? What force will power your race car? What force will make your car stop? If you launched your race car in space, what would happen?
Newton’s Laws Law 2 - Force = Mass x acceleration The heavier something is, the more force it takes to move it!
Newton’s Laws How will the mass of your car effect its speed? How can you control the mass of your car?
Newton’s Laws Law 3 - For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Materials 9 inch balloon Straw various materials to construct the racers Example items include tissue boxes, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, round objects for wheels
Rules The car must be powered by no more than 1 balloon. You can build the car’s body out of anything. The cars width cannot exceed 2 3/4” (size of the axel)
More Rules The cars length cannot exceed 11” (long end of a piece of paper) No gases other than the gases in your lungs. The car may not leave the ground. The car must be capable of traveling at least 2 meters to qualify for awards.
Procedure You will bring in materials from home and assemble your car in class. On race day we will set up a track. You will race in groups of 3 against other classmates. Cars that follow all of the rules will be eligible for awards. These awards will be given in three categories. Best Looking Car Fastest Car (in first 2 meters) Farthest Distance Traveled