Activity 1: Balloon Rockets

Materials needed:

• string (approximately 10 feet for each group)
• long balloon for each student
• straw for each student
• tape
• paper clips

Procedure:

1. Tape one end of each string to the wall.
2. Give each student a long balloon, a straw and some paper clips.
3. Instruct the students to take turns launching their rockets. They should blow up their balloons and then tape the straw to the balloon. Holding the balloon closed, they should carefully thread the string through the straw. When they let go of the balloons they will launch along the string.
4. Make sure they are holding the string taut, or the balloon won’t go very far.
5. To make the balloons go even farther they can use the paper clips to hold the end of the balloon closed enough so that the air will go out slower. This will slow down the balloon, but it should go farther.
6. Discuss how this relates to Newton's Second and Third laws.