SMARTies Corner: Balloon Powered Car

When you inflate a balloon and let it go, it zips randomly around the room. When you tape the balloon to a straw and attach it to the body of a car, however, you can control the direction of the escaping air. When the end of the straw is aimed backward, the air pushes your car forward, as described by Newton's third law of motion. We will be creating our own cars using simple materials and then you can challenge others to see which design goes the fastest.

Recommended for ages 8 & Up.

Supplies provided by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.