For the Kids - Rocket Balloon Experiment

By: Alexus Robertson

As a working mother it is hard to be creative with activities for the kids. I know most of us have so much on our plate and coming up with educational entertainment you can easily be depleted of ideas. Here is a science made simple activity, diy, and at home science experiment!!

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Rocket Balloon

Make a balloon that flies like a rocket.

You Will Need:

• Piece of string

• (about 6 to 8 feet long)

• Balloon

• 2 chairs

• Drinking straw

• Tape

• Scissors

Step 1: Tie one end of the string to the back of a chair.

Step 2: Thread the straw onto the string and tie the other end of the string to the other chair.

Step 3: Attach two pieces of tape to the straw as shown.

Step 4: Inflate the balloon, hold the opening, and attach it to the straw with tape.

Step 5: Pull the balloon to one end of the string and let go. What happens?

Action and Reaction:

To make something move one way, a force has to work in the opposite direction - this is known as ‘action and reaction.’ The air inside the inflated balloon is pushing in all directions. When you let go of the balloon, air rushes out the hole, creating a pushing force in the opposite direction. This makes the balloon move.

Rockets:

Real rockets work in a similar way to your rocket balloon. A rocket engine works by exploding fuel inside a chamber that is open at the bottom. The force of the exploding fuel coming out of the rocket creates an opposite force that pushes the rocket up and on into space.

Activity and education information provided by Priddy, Roger; Tainsh, Robert; Douglass, Jo; and Beaumont, Louisa My Big Science Book, Simon Mugord: Priddy Books big ideas for little people 2003, pg. 8-9.