PHYSICS
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Ara BautistaPHYSICS
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Ara BautistaACTIVITY 1
Understanding Newton’s Laws Of Motion – Physics
Activities
From our previous balloon races we learned about Newton’s Third Law of Motions
which states: For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. But that’s the
third law, there are two more!
The Science Behind Balloon Physics Activities
Let’s take a quick minute and chat about the science behind these balloon races.
When you blow up the balloon you are filling it up with air that is under pressure.
When the air escapes from the balloon the escaping air exerts thrust or force on the
balloon which propels it forward. The air escapes backward – the balloon races
forward. Action – reaction. Or more formally known as Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
We can also see this in our Newton’s Cradle . Once we start it going, it seems to go
forever.
NEWTON’S THIRD LAW OF MOTION: FOR EVERY ACTION, THERE IS AN
OPPOSITE AND EQUAL REACTION.
But what impact can certain variables have on this reaction? Turns out these
questions move us into exploring Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION: THE ACCELERATION OF AN
OBJECT AS PRODUCED BY A NET FORCE IS DIRECTLY
PROPORTIONAL TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE NET FORCE, IN THE
SAME DIRECTION AS THE NET FORCE, AND INVERSELY
PROPORTIONAL TO THE MASS OF THE OBJECT.
Simple put, the second law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent
upon two variables – the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object.
More force means it moves faster. More weight means it moves slower and needs
more force to get it moving.
SUPPLIES FOR EXPLORING NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION
Balloons of various shapes and sizes
Construction paper
String
Straws
Tape
Scissors
Kitchen clips
Normal paperclips, crafting sticks or other items that can be used as weights on the
balloons
Anchor points – could be chairs, tables or even people holding the string
Stop watch
Fabric tape measure or you can use string and measure the string
Kitchen Scale
Science notebook or other way of recording data
&
DIRECTIONS
Since this activity is inquiry based, be prepared for lots of playing and exploring. The
goal is to really explore and understand how variables impact Newton’s third law.
First, set up the anchor points about 10 feet apart. When selecting your anchor
points, choose ones that can be easily moved.
Thread your string through a straw, then secure the string to the two anchor points.
Leave lots of slack so you can change the distance as required.
Attach your balloon to the straw using tape. For each challenge simply release the
balloon to start it racing.
BALLOON PHYSICS CHALLENGES – NEWTON’S SECOND LAW
OF MOTION
CHALLENGE #1
How does volume impact distance?
Change the distance between the anchor points until the balloon no longer reaches
the end. What is the farthest the balloon will travel? Mark that point or record the
distance.
Using a fabric tape measure or a string, measure the circumference of the inflated
balloon. Now race it and record the distance it traveled. For the next race change the
circumference making it smaller or larger. How does it affect the distance traveled?
Record the results.
CHALLENGE #2
How does volume impact speed?
Set your distance to the minimum the balloon travels. Now vary the circumference
and use a stop watch to measure how fast the balloon travels the distance. Does
varying the circumference, and therefore volume and pressure in the balloon, affect
the speed? Record the results.
CHALLENGE #3
How does mass impact distance traveled?
In this challenge we are exploring how mass affects Newton’s Third Law. From
earlier tests we know how far our balloons will travel. Keeping the circumference
consistent, change the mass by adding paperclips, tape, paper, etc. to the balloon.
Then race the balloon and measure the distance. How does it compare with greater
mass? Record the results.
CHALLENGE #4
How does mass impact speed?
Repeat the experiment but measure the speed of the balloon. Does mass affect the
speed the balloon travels? Record the results.
CHALLENGE #5
Does shape of the balloon impact speed or distance?
If you have different shaped balloons test how the shape of the balloon affects the
results. Does a long skinny one work better than the traditional oval balloons? Try to
keep the number of breaths used to blow up the balloons consistent to ensure the
volume of air in the balloons does not change. Measure distance and speed to see
how the results differ.
NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION
So we’ve explored Newton’s Second Law of Motion and Newton’s Third Law of
Motion, but there must be a first law, right?
NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION STATES: AN OBJECT AT REST
STAYS AT REST AND AN OBJECT IN MOTION STAYS IN MOTION WITH
THE SAME SPEED AND IN THE SAME DIRECTION UNLESS ACTED
UPON BY AN UNBALANCED FORCE.
In a way, we explored that law in this exercise too. The balloons required a force to
be exerted on them before they would move long the string. As long as that clamp
was left in place, the balloon was stationary.
CHALLENGE #6
How can we apply force?
A fun way to explore this law is to challenge the students to find ways to apply force
to start the balloon moving beyond the obvious one we have been using (releasing
the pressure/air). Perhaps they can change the angle of the string so gravity applies
it’s force. Or maybe they can blow on it. Then have them explore how they can apply
force to change the speed and direction of the balloon.
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION
This activity is a wonderful way for students to practice their critical thinking skills
and explore concepts that may seem challenging when simply read about in a book.
Physics can be so intimidating, but this physics project presents the concepts in
logical ways to help facilitate deep understanding. It also gets kids up and moving
and many studies have shown how moving can help in the learning and retention of
information. Perhaps Newton should have had a law of motion as it applied to
learning!
ACTIVITY 2
