Propulsion is a force that pushes forward or drives and object forward. This concept can be seen in action with the use of a balloon powered car; this car demonstrates a type of propulsion system in which it produces thrust and potential energy and uses the kinetic energy that it will gain from the movement to push the car forward. The thrust is obtained from the balloon which applies Newton’s third of motion that states, “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Specifically, the balloon car’s action of the air escaping from the straw causes the reaction being the movement of the car. In my car, the design was formulated to best execute those actions with the fairly light materials allowing the car to have the maximum potential
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I speculate this due to the fact that my design of the car and the materials that I have used to forge my balloon car will reflect greatly upon the performance of it. Specifically, the thinness of my wheels as well as the smooth material of the straws as part of the axles allows not only more speed but a greater amount of distance covered. This is due to the reduced friction or rubbing that the materials exert onto the ground and the axles. In addition to that, the position of the straw should play a factor in influencing my hypothesis. As seen in my design, the straw is positioned through the hole in the bottle as opposed to the top. This is so that the air when released from the balloon pushes the car from a point close to the center which causes the thrust to affect the middle of the car instead of the top. In other words, imaging someone pushing at your head. Now imaging that same force on the middle of your back. The latter scenario is more effective since the energy from the push is transferred throughout the entire object similar to the thrust affecting the entire car more effectively. Speed of the car should increase as well as the distance because of this. Finally, the materials I used such as a regular water bottle and the CD wheels make the car lighter which in turn allows the energy to propel the car forward at a faster rate making it go
I speculate this due to the fact that my design of the car and the materials that I have used to forge my balloon car will reflect greatly upon the performance of it. Specifically, the thinness of my wheels as well as the smooth material of the straws as part of the axles allows not only more speed but a greater amount of distance covered. This is due to the reduced friction or rubbing that the materials exert onto the ground and the axles. In addition to that, the position of the straw should play a factor in influencing my hypothesis. As seen in my design, the straw is positioned through the hole in the bottle as opposed to the top. This is so that the air when released from the balloon pushes the car from a point close to the center which causes the thrust to affect the middle of the car instead of the top. In other words, imaging someone pushing at your head. Now imaging that same force on the middle of your back. The latter scenario is more effective since the energy from the push is transferred throughout the entire object similar to the thrust affecting the entire car more effectively. Speed of the car should increase as well as the distance because of this. Finally, the materials I used such as a regular water bottle and the CD wheels make the car lighter which in turn allows the energy to propel the car forward at a faster rate making it go