Unit 6: Balloon Racers

1. Newton’s 3 Laws: Action/Reaction and Inertia.

2. Energy States: The transition from Elastic Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy.

3. Friction & Resistance: How surface contact and air drag oppose motion.

4. Mass Optimization: The impact of "dead weight" on acceleration.

5. Nozzle Physics: How the diameter of the exhaust (the straw) affects the duration and force of thrust.

1. Model Physics: Use balloons to demonstrate equal and opposite reactions.

2. Prototype: Build a chassis using lightweight materials (cardboard, plastic, or foam).

3. Engineer a Drive System: Connect a balloon-and-straw exhaust to the chassis.

4. Collect Kinematic Data: Measure distance and time to calculate average speed.

5. Redesign: Modify the nozzle or wheel alignment based on "crash" data.

Students participate in a "Distance & Speed" tournament. The final assessment is an Annotated Action Photo or diagram of their car, where they must correctly label where each of Newton’s Three Laws is occurring during a race heat.