My PBL Project

INTRODUCTION

The idea is to turn a pile of trash into a toy car. In this activity, we will learn some physics concepts and use recycled materials to build a toy car that is propelled by a balloon.

When we release the balloon, why does the car move so fast?

Because of the pressure, the balloon has after we inflate it, the car move fast. If we inflate the balloon more, will the car will move even faster?

The idea is to turn a pile of trash into a toy car. In this activity, we will learn some physics concepts and use recycled materials to build a toy car that is propelled by a balloon.

Materials

• Plastic bottle

• Balloon

• Tape

• 4 plastic bottle caps

• 2 stick

• scissors

Procedure

1. We'll tape the balloon on the bottle after we combine the straws and the balloon.

2. We will put 4 plastic bottle caps around the bottle.

3. We will inflate the balloon with the straws.

4. We will release the balloon

5. We will observe the change in energy.

Safety

• When the car moves, don't be around the car. Because it can hit your feet or legs.

Scientific Principle/Essential Understanding

• According to Newton's third law of motion, when the air is pushed backward out of the balloon (out the end with the opening), there must be an equal and opposite reaction force that pushes the balloon forward (the end opposite the opening).

• Newton's Third Law- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

• Potential Energy-the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position relative to others, stresses within itself, electric charge, and other factors.

• The energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion.

Real Life Connections/Further Applications

• Where and how is it currently being used? It might use on toys, which is in the toy shops.

• How does it benefit our society? Benefits our society as it provides us with the ability to play those toys.

• What are some future benefits and applications of this project? This prevents air pollution if people start using this technique in our recent cars.

Investigative Questions

What is the effect of balloon circumference on balloon car distance?

If the size of the balloon effects the distance the balloon-powered car travels then the car powered by the bigger balloon will travel further than the car powered by the smaller balloons. This is because according to the article “Balloon Powered Car”, Newton’s Third Law of Motion stated that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that the amount of air in the balloon will exert the same amount of force on the car. Also, according to the article “Newton’s Laws of Motion”, Newton’s Second Law of Motion states that a greater force creates a greater acceleration in an object with the same mass. This suggests that the more air in the balloon, the faster the car will travel reaction is the air being released out of the balloon and the reaction will be pushing the air. So, the more air the more reaction it will have.

Which energy we will see when we inflate the balloon?

We will see potential energy when we inflate the balloon.

Does kinetic energy occur at any time? When?

Yes. When we release the balloon it will convert to the kinetic energy as the balloon zooms around the room.

When we release the balloon, why does the car move so fast?

Because of the pressure, the balloon has after we inflate it, the car move fast. If we inflate the balloon more, the car will move even faster.