Balloons!

Task - Design a Balloon Rocket

Use the stored energy in an elastic band to send a rocket as far as possible along the inclined (30º) length of fishing line. 

20g Load

1st Set-up (failed)

Long balloon, 2 long straws at each end of balloon. Load attached at top of balloon.

2nd Set-up (SUCCESS!)
Shorter balloon, 5 short straws attached to different parts of balloon. No load.

3rd Set-up (for FUN. Partial success?)
Long balloon, 3 paper clips attached at each section of balloon. No load.

Reflections

1. Write a description and make drawings showing your solution to this activity.

- Are straws the best way of connecting the balloon to the incline line?

- Are the connections of the line best:

• In front of the balloon?
• In the middle?
• Or behind the balloon?

- What works best to support the load?

• Sticky-taped to the balloon?
• Inside the balloon?
• Fixed to the connectors?

Yes, short segments of the straw were ideal in connecting the balloon to the inclined line. However, paper clips could also be used.

The connections to the line are best throughout the whole length of the balloon at intervals.

- Load was not used due to time constraints -

2. Make separate drawings and write notes on how you attached your rocket to the line.

3. Write a description of the way you propelled your rocket along the inclined line.

- Does the tightness of the line make a difference?

- Try it with the balloon fully inflated and less-than-fully inflated. Does the balloon travel a greater distance when fully inflated, or not?

Yes, the line has to be tight in order for the balloon to travel quickly upwards without obstruction. Yes, it travels a greater distance when fully inflated.

4. Record the best result from ALL your competitions.

1 second for 2.5m.

5. How far did your rocket travel along the line? How quickly did it travel 2m?

2.5m. Less than 1 second.

6. How heavy was your rocket?

No load was added.

7. Did you add anything to your rocket such as fins, wings, etc.? If so, make drawings and describe how well they worked.

No. 

8. How might your design be improved?

It should be able to travel the same distance with load (20g) added to it.

Marbles!

Task: Create a Marble Run

Design and build a pathway or "marble run" for a marble to roll from the top left hand corner to the bottom right hand corner on a sloping board. Test it for speed and distance. The team who makes the marble's journey last as long as possible is the winner. (The marble had to be in constant motion throughout the journey.)

Slowest timing: 31s

First trial run: 9s

Second trial run: 15s

Final: 31s

Reflections

3. Describe how you slowed the speed of your marble.

My group slowed the speed of the marble by creating friction using tape, plasticine and tilting the straws (path) slightly upwards at some points. We also made use of pins, which acted as bumps to slow down the marble.

4. How long did you marble take to roll to the bottom of your design?

31s.

5. What was the overall length of your track?

About 4m.

6. What was the marbles' overall speed?

About 13cm/s.

7. What was your most difficult problem you had solving this challenge?

The trial runs produced inconsistent results. (Occasionally stopped before completing track course.)

8. What parts of your design pleased you most?

The strategic places where we placed tape, plasticine and pins to produce friction.

9. How might your design be improved?

It can be made more stable for more consistent results.

Application to the Real World

1. Can you think of three types of guiding structures? Draw them and write a short description.

1. MRT tracks

2. Curtain rails

3. Cable car

2. Give three examples of other kinds of kinetic energy. Make drawings and write descriptions.

1. Electricity

2. Flowing water

3. Moving cars

3. Describe gravitational energy in your own words; how it works, why is it important, and what would happen if there wasn't any gravity on earth.

Gravitational energy is the energy which an object has when it is raised above the group. When the object is released and falls back to the ground, the gravitational energy is converted to kinetic energy. Without gravitational energy, living things will float and not be able to stay on earth's surface.