Air Powered Car Experiment

Home / Science Experiments / Cool Experiments / Air Powered Car Experiment

4
Difficulty

Air-Powered Car Experiment - Teach Kids about Storing

Energy as Air Pressure
Posted by Admin / in Cool Experiments
This is a really cool science experiment that gives kids a hands-on demonstration of the power of
physics. In this experiment, kids use simple inexpensive materials to create an air-powered car.
Kids must use their creativity to make the car as fast as possible by using only air to make the car
go.
Items Needed for Experiment

Styrofoam flat pieces or Lego building blocks

wheels/axles
balloons
straws or lightweight tubing

duct tape
cutting tool

Optional

car decoration (paint, markers, etc.)

EXPERIMENT STEPS
Step 1: Have the kids measure the width of axles of the car. This measurement determines how
wide to make the air-powered car body. Lego has wheels and axles available that work well for
this experiment.
Step 2: From the measurement in step 1, have the kids first trace the shape of the car onto a flat
piece of Styrofoam. Make the width of the car slightly less than the axles so the wheels extend
slightly from the body and do not rub the side of the car. If you are using building blocks you can
skip this step.
Step 3: Cut out the car body. Adults should assist kids with this step or have the body sections
pre-cut to save time. If you want to allow the kids time, have them decorate their cars with paint,
markers, paper, or stickers. Using building blocks will speed up this step.

Step 4: Attach the axles and wheels to the car body using strong tape. Make sure the car wheels
are aligned and spin well. How well the wheels spin will determine how much energy from the
balloon is transferred to speed of the air car. Lego has some great car wheels with plastic axles
that snap together. Also, water bottle caps, plastic push up sticks, and other things you might
throw out make nice light weight wheels. Use your imagination!

Step 5: Supply a balloon size and straw (or tubing) size that fit well together. The balloon
opening should fit tightly around the straw without crushing the straw. Attach the balloon to the
straw or tubing using duct tape.

Step 6: Attach the balloon and straw to the wheels and car base. Blow up the balloon. Pinch off
the air temporarily. Line up the car in the direction of the race track and release the air. If there
are multiple children who are performing the car experiment, they can all race their cars to test
the design. Let the kids make adjustments on their cars and allow them time to race again.

SCIENCE LEARNED: Using Air to Store Energy

In this experiment kids get to experience Newton's second law of motion. In this case, energy in
the form of compressed air is stored in the balloon. When the air is allowed to release the car
experiences an unbalance force and begins to move.

When air is released, it acts like a spring. The compressed air inside the balloon is at a higher
pressure than the air outside the balloon. When the air is allowed to escape, it rapidly flows out
of the balloon, resulting in a force. Since the balloon is secured to the car, the resultant force
powers the car forward.
Since the balloon can only store a certain amount of energy, there are two factors that kids can
control to increase the speed of the air car and the distance the car travels. The two factors are the
weight of the car and the amount of friction experienced by the moving parts of the car. Parts like
the wheel/axle connection and the actual wheel connection with the ground have a frictional loss
of energy. The more narrow the wheels, the less frictional loss with the ground. The less contact
between the axle and the wheel shaft, also results in less frictional loss.

The weight of the car is a large factor in the performance of the air-powered car. Lego blocks are
very easy to build, but are obviously fairly heavy. In the example, the weight of the car is 1.1
ounces. Building paper and Styrofoam cars will result in less car weight, however, more time is
required to build a car with a good wheel and axle combination.

Shop Your Way

Pinterest
Google+
Email

add to registry
add to list

Shop Marketplace with Confidence

Our Marketplace sellers are backed by Sears with our Marketplace Guarantee. If you're not
satisfied with your experience, Sears will step in and help. If we can't, we'll refund the cost of
your order - including shipping. Limitations apply. Learn more

Description Item # SPM7477647905 Model # 23120

Precision-made wooden models used in education
Provides hands-on student experience with concepts of work, force, and energy
Includes block and tackle, wedge, screw, fulcrum balance, inclined plane and cart, pulley, motion
converter, lever, wheel and axle, gear rack, gear train, and pendulum, and Learning About Work,
Force, and Energy Activity Guide
Each model measures approximately 7 x 16 inches
The ETA hand2mind (23120) Simple Machines precision-made wooden model set includes the
plane and cart, pulley, lever, and wheel and axle models. They are used in education to provide
students with hands-on experience with the fundamental concepts of work, force, and energy.
Models demonstrate how machines can reduce work, change the direction of a force, and turn
potential energy into kinetic energy. The set includes Inclined Plane and Cart Model (3851),
Pulley Model (3855), Lever Model (92314), and Wheel and Axle Model (92315), and a detailed
teachers guide. Each model measures approximately 7 x 16 inches. Science education products
incorporate applied math and science principles into classroom projects. Teachers in pre-K,
elementary, and secondary classrooms use science education kits and products alongside science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum to demonstrate STEM concepts and realworld applications through hands-on activities. Science education projects include a broad range
of activities, such as practical experiments in engineering, aeronautics, robotics, energy,
chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. ETA hand2mind develops educational and
supplemental materials for teaching math, science, reading/language arts for pre-kindergarten
through grade 12 students. The company, founded in 1968, is headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL.
Whats in the Box? Inclined plane and cart model (1) Pulley model (1) Lever model (1) Wheel
and axle model (1) Teachers Guide (4)
Added on July 01, 2016

Get your motor running with real STEM learning! Discover the science of forces and motion
through scientific exploration with colourful, engaging tools and hands-on activities. Explore the
science of how things go as you conduct investigations, solve problems, and explore early
engineering. The activity cards will show the students which materials to use to conduct the
experiment, and compare it to a real-life situation. The set promotes scientific inquiry and
investigations from an early age, and will interest students for the world of science. The STEM
Forces and Motion Activity Set features 10 double-sided Activity Cards covering all aspects of
STEM, plus key science concepts of gravity, inertia, friction, push/pull, and more! The set
includes 2 cars, 2 double-sided tracks, 4 weighted blocks, pendulum ball, ladder with 2
removable bars, and a comprehensive activity guide with reproducible materials. The ladder
measures 23.5cm high, the tracks measure 30.5cm in length, and the cars measure 7cm in
length. Suitable for ages 3+ years.

The pulley is one of the basic simple machines and can be found everywhere around us. They
are used in cranes, to lift heavy weights. Or when you hoist a flag. It provides mechanical
advantage, making it easier to move heavy masses. But how exactly does it work? Find out this
and more by experimenting with this Pulleys Model. This wooden model is ideal for classroom
demonstrations. This apparatus can model how the use of several pulleys increases mechanical
advantage. Students can use this both qualitatively and quantitatively. The design of this pulley
lends itself easily to inquiry based activities. What happens if you change the weight at the end
of the pulley? And do you have to apply more or less force if you use 2 pulleys? And what if you
use 3 pulleys? What happens to the direction and the magnitude of the force applied? Can you
come up with an everyday situation where you can use a pulley? There is so much to discover!
This model includes an instruction manual to facilitate both student and teacher with the use of
this model. The model is made of particle board and MDF components. The sturdy construction
of the models makes it perfect for classroom use. The base of the model measures 16.5 cm (L)
x 8.9 cm (W) x 41 cm (H).