Funny Science, Balloon Rocket Launcher!

Want some cheap and fun science experiment at home? Check this out!

The Balloon Rocket Launcher, simplest possible setup that guarantees to make your little ones laugh, and it's a great chance to teach them about air, pressure and how rocket works.

All you need are:

• 1 balloon (or more in case it pops)

• 1 m of rope or string

• 1 giant straw (those for drinking bubbles drink)

• some cellophane tape

That's it, you are ready to go!

Setting up. 

I tied the rope between the two dining chairs. But I made a mistake by tying a knot on the balloon and poking it with a needle. DON'T repeat my mistake, it resulted in a big blast! LOL. But it gave me a chance to explain the concept of pressure (despite giving everyone a shock).

So I got little captain to help blowing up the balloon, attached it to the straw with some cellophane tapes, and hold on to the balloon opening with his fingers so the air won't escape.

He couldn't wait to let go, as you can see here...

Rocket launched successful!

This one was spinning like a hola hoop.

This was a successful launching with the rocket traveling in straight line.

How does this work?

It's based on the same concept as a rocket, where the compressed air in the chamber (in this case the rubber wall) is released and creating a thrust that sends the balloon rocket to shot in the opposite direction.

Here's how MIT (web.mit.edu) explains it:
"A rocket in its simplest form is a chamber enclosing a gas under pressure. A small opening at one end of the chamber allows the gas to escape, and in doing so provides a thrust that propels the rocket in the opposite direction. A good example of this is a balloon. Air inside a balloon is compressed by the balloon's rubber walls. The air pushes back so that the forces on each side are balanced. When the nozzle is released, air escapes through it and the balloon is propelled in the opposite direction."

What a fun activity, it took only 5 minutes to construct but brought us hours of fun and laughter, we continued playing after returning home from our lunch date.

Hope your LOs enjoy as much as us!

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