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Science 8 ● Semester A

Force and Motion Portfolio
Balloon Rocket Hands-On Lab

Instructions:
Read through the lab completely before beginning the experiment. Check the Lab Rubric at the end of this document for grading.
Collect all necessary materials before beginning the lab.
Create a copy of this lab so you can fill it out as you go. Do not request editing access. You can print it and write on it, or you can make a copy in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Save a finished copy of this worksheet that includes your answers. Upload it into the Unit 4 Lesson 12 Force and Motion Apply it Dropbox in Connexus.
Reach out to your science teacher if you have any questions!
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Materials Needed:
plastic drinking straw
plastic bag, about the size of an inflated balloon
paper streamers
fishing line, 25 ft (20-50g weight) or string (nylon [slippery] string works better than twine [rough])
long, tube-shaped balloon
tape measure or meter stick

Procedure:

Tape a drinking straw along the side of a plastic bag (see Figure 1).
Tape streamers along the open edge of the plastic bag.
Thread the string through the straw.
Tie each end of the string to a chair, and pull the chairs apart so that the string is taut (see Figure 1).
Position the bag at one end of the string, with the open end of the bag facing toward the chair.
Blow up a balloon (small size -about 5 inches wide) and put it into the bag, holding the balloon closed.
Countdown to zero, and let go of the balloon. . . ZOOOOM!
Measure the distance the balloon rockets traveled on the string and record in table
Repeat the process with the same sized balloon 2 more times and record your results in the table below.
Repeat steps 7-10 with a medium sized balloon (about 6-7 inches width when blown up) and record data of your 3 trials in your data table.
Repeat steps 7-10 with a large sized balloon ( 10 inches or more width when blown up) and record data of your 3 trials with this balloon.

I. Balloon Rocket Data Table
Directions: Predict the distance traveled along the string for a balloon that is filled with air so that it is small, medium and large in size. Then, record the actual distances traveled during three trials for each size balloon. *Don’t forget to include units*

Balloon Size
Predicted Distance
Trial #
Actual Distance Traveled

Small

1

2

3

Medium

1

2

3

Large

1

2

3

II. Balloon Rocket Questions

1. In this experiment, we can see Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion in action. For this experiment what is the action force and what is the reaction force?
Type Answer HERE:
2. As we added more air to the balloon, the balloon traveled further. Why is this the case? Explain.
Type Answer HERE:
3. If you have an equal amount of force pushing on both sides of an item, what happens every time? Explain Why.
Type Answer HERE:
4. A scientist wanted to move a golf ball and a bowling ball to both reach 15 mph. What would the scientist have to do differently for the bowling ball than the golf ball to reach his goal?
Type Answer HERE:

III. How do you graph motion? Video
Watch the following Video & then answer the questions following it.
Using Graphs to Describe Motion

IV. How do you graph motion? Questions

5. In the video, what color line for the Distance-Time graph represents the blue truck? Explain why.

Type Answer HERE:
6. On the Velocity-Time graph, the black line represents the red truck. What does a flat line, that has zero slope, mean on a Velocity-Time graph? Explain why.

Type Answer HERE:
7. The Position-Time graph below, represents someone going for a walk. At what position is the person not moving and how do you know according to the graph?

Type Answer HERE:

VI. Analyzing the Data:
8.

Type Answer HERE:

The speed is constant.
The distance remains unchanged.
The direction of motion stays the same.
The speed gradually increases over time.

9.

Type Answer HERE:
The ball’s speed is increasing.
The ball’s speed is decreasing.
The ball’s motion is constant.
The ball’s motion is stopping.

10.

Type Answer HERE:
The object is experiencing acceleration.
The object is moving along a curved path.
The object has a negative acceleration.
The object moves at a constant speed.
11.

Type Answer HERE:
The velocity of the car remains constant throughout the journey.
The change in speed alone causes the velocity of the car to vary.
The change in direction alone causes the velocity of the car to vary.
The velocity of the car changes due to the change in speed and direction.
12. Which graph BEST represents the relationship between velocity and time for an object that accelerates uniformly for 2 seconds, then moves at a constant velocity for 1 second, and finally decelerates for 3 seconds?
Type Answer HERE:



VII. Reading & Evidence Questions: Follow the instructions to open the required MyON Reading for this portfolio. Use the assigned books to help you answer the following questions.

Type Answer HERE:

Type Answer HERE:

Type Answer HERE:

Hands-On Lab Force and Motion
Balloon Rocket
Grading Rubric
Scoring Rubric
Points

Balloon Rocket Data Table

3 points
Student completes the Data Table with accuracy & detail.
0-2 points
Student did not complete or answer the questions correctly.

/3

Balloon Rocket Questions

4 points
Student completes the Balloon Rocket Questions with accuracy & detail.
0-3 points
Student did not complete or answer the questions correctly.

/4

How do you graph motion? Questions

3 points
Student completes the How do you graph motion? Questions with accuracy & detail.
0-2 points
Student did not complete or answer the questions correctly.

/3

Analyzing the Data
5 points
Student completes the Analyzing the Data section correctly and accurately.
0-4 points
Student did not complete or answer the questions correctly.

/5

Reading & Evidence
2 points
Student read the text prompt and completed each question correctly and accurately.
0-1 points
Student did not complete or answer the questions correctly.

/3

Total ___ / 18
Portfolio Assignment in Science

1 answer

Here's a comprehensive guide to completing your Balloon Rocket Hands-On Lab assignment.

I. Balloon Rocket Data Table

Predicted Distance

  • Small Balloon: 2 meters
  • Medium Balloon: 4 meters
  • Large Balloon: 6 meters

Trial Results (example values)

  • Small

    • 1: 1.8 m
    • 2: 2.0 m
    • 3: 2.2 m

  • Medium

    • 1: 4.5 m
    • 2: 4.3 m
    • 3: 4.7 m

  • Large

    • 1: 6.0 m
    • 2: 6.5 m
    • 3: 7.0 m

II. Balloon Rocket Questions

  1. Action and Reaction Forces:

    • Answer: The action force is the air rushing out of the balloon, and the reaction force is the balloon being propelled in the opposite direction along the string.

  2. Why More Air Means Further Travel:

    • Answer: As more air is added to the balloon, it increases the pressure inside the balloon. When released, the higher internal pressure expels air more quickly, generating greater thrust and allowing the balloon to travel a longer distance.

  3. Equal Force on Both Sides:

    • Answer: If there is an equal amount of force pushing on both sides of an item, the item will remain stationary (it will not move) because the forces cancel each other out.

  4. Difference in Moving Golf Ball and Bowling Ball:

    • Answer: The scientist would need to apply a greater force to the bowling ball than to the golf ball to overcome its greater mass, enabling it to reach the same speed of 15 mph.

III. How do you graph motion? Questions

  1. Color of the Line Representing the Blue Truck:

    • Answer: The blue line typically represents the blue truck. It is often highlighted in a different color to distinguish its motion from other objects in the graph.

  2. Meaning of Flat Line on Velocity-Time Graph:

    • Answer: A flat line with zero slope indicates that the truck is moving at a constant velocity (not accelerating). This means that its speed remains unchanged over that time interval.

  3. Position Where the Person is Not Moving:

    • Answer: The person is not moving at the position where the line is horizontal on the Position-Time graph. This indicates a constant position with no change over time.

VI. Analyzing the Data

  1. Speed is Constant:

    • Answer: The distance remains unchanged over time, indicating that the object is stationary, thus the speed is zero.

  2. Movement of the Ball:

    • Answer: The ball’s speed is increasing as indicated by the upward slope on the graph.

  3. Object Experiences Acceleration:

    • Answer: The object is experiencing acceleration if its speed is changing over time (increasing or decreasing).

  4. Change in Velocity of the Car:

    • Answer: The velocity of the car changes due to both the change in speed and direction throughout its journey.

  5. Best Graph Representation:

    • Answer: The graph would show an initial slope increasing (acceleration), followed by a flat section indicating constant speed, and finally a downward slope indicating deceleration.

VII. Reading & Evidence Questions

You need to refer to the assigned reading material for this section. Follow the prompt from your MyON reading and provide the necessary answers.

Grading Rubric

As you complete each section, aim for clarity and detail. Make sure to follow the rubric guidance to get full points.

Remember to save your finished worksheet and upload it as instructed! If you have further questions during your lab, don't hesitate to reach out to your science teacher.

Good luck, and have fun with the experiment!