Download Balloon Car - Net Start Class

Name: _________________________________
Date Due: ________________________
Balloon Car Project
Each student will design and build a toy car which is powered by a 9 inch round balloon. In class, each student
will then time how long their car takes to travel the one meter from the start line to the finish line, calculate the
average acceleration of the car over that one meter distance, and show how Newton’s second and third laws
apply to the motion of their cars.
Materials:
1 – 9 inch round balloon
Additional “add-on” materials as needed
Rules and Remarks:
1. The vehicle must maintain at least 3 points of rolling contact with the floor at all times.
2. The vehicle can only be powered by one 9 inch round balloon.
3. The wheels and axle used on the vehicle cannot have been professionally manufactured for that purpose.
Grading:
 70 points will be awarded for building a car which can move across the floor from the start line to
the finish line 1 meter away. Cars that do not cross the finish line will receive 60 points.
 10 points will be awarded a correct calculation of the car’s acceleration over the 1 meter distance.
 10 points will be awarded for a correct calculation of how Newton’s Second Law applies to this
project
 10 points will be awarded for a correct explanation of how Newton’s Third Law applies to this
project
Points Awarded
60 points Car meets all rules and regulations
10 points Car crossed the finish line
10 points Correct calculation of acceleration
Given
Formula
d = 1 meter
t = _____ sec
Substitution
Answer with
Units
a = 2xd
t2
10 points Newton’s Second Law states that the force of an object is equal to the acceleration of that object
times the mass or F = ma. Use a balance to get the mass of your car and then calculate its force.
Given
Formula
Substitution
Answer with
Units
2
a = ____ m/s
m = _____ g or
F = m x a
_____ kg
(kg) (m/s2)
10 points Newton’s Third Law states that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. Explain how
this applies to your balloon car: Use complete sentences!
Name: _________________________________
_______ / 100 Total Points
Date Due: ________________________