Ballon Car
Supplies:
Grab free printable instructions below! What different materials
can you use to make a balloon-powered car? How about a
cardboard box or plastic bottles?
Balloon
Lollipop sticks
Toilet paper tube
Hole puncher
Hot glue gun
Tape
Straws or Wooden skewers
Scissors
4 Plastic bottle caps
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How to Make a Balloon Car
STEP 1: Cut off two lollipop sticks and hot glue the sticks to two
bottle tops. Alternatively, you can make holes in the plastic
bottle caps and insert wooden skewers to make axles.
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STEP 2: Use the hole puncher to punch four holes in the toilet
paper tube to attach the wheels.
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STEP 3: Stick the lollipop sticks through the holes, and then
glue on the remaining two tops/wheels.
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STEP 4: Punch another hole in the top of the tube near the front
of the car and stick a straw through the hole.
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STEP 5: Tape the end of the balloon to the straw.
STEP 6: Now blow through the straw to inflate the balloon.
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Set down the car while holding the straw closed, then let go
and watch the fun! How far can your car go?
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The Science Behind a Balloon-Powered Car
When you build a balloon-powered car, you’re seeing science in
action! Let’s break down how it works using some important
science concepts.
Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy
When you blow up a balloon, you add potential energy to it.
This energy is stored in the stretched balloon. When you
release the balloon, the compressed air inside rushes out. This
changes the potential energy into kinetic energy, the energy
of motion. The car moves forward because of this change from
stored energy to motion.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
This experiment also shows Newton’s Laws of Motion. The
first law says an object will stay still or keep moving in a
straight line unless an outside force acts. In this case, the car
stays still until the air rushes out of the balloon.
Now, let’s talk about Newton’s Second Law: It tells us that
the more force you apply to an object, the faster it will go (this
is called acceleration). The air escaping from the balloon
pushes against the car, making it move forward. The amount of
air in the balloon affects how fast the car accelerates. More air
means more force, so the car moves faster!
