ParticipantsParticipantsKristen LyneKristen Lyne

Krystle GoetzKrystle Goetz

Austin NicholsAustin Nichols

Jaron NicholsJaron Nichols

Which shape of balloon will travel Which shape of balloon will travel farther when launched?farther when launched?

We think the oblong balloon will We think the oblong balloon will travel farther than the round travel farther than the round balloon. balloon.

7-10 oblong balloons7-10 oblong balloons 7-10 round balloons7-10 round balloons Tape measurerTape measurer StringString ScissorsScissors Pencil/PenPencil/Pen StrawStraw PaperPaper Chairs(2)Chairs(2) Air pumpAir pump Tape Tape CalculatorCalculator

ProcedureProcedure

1.We tied and taped one end of the string to one of 1.We tied and taped one end of the string to one of the two chairs.the two chairs.

2.We cut the straw and strung the straw to the string.2.We cut the straw and strung the straw to the string.

3.We tied the other end of the string to the other 3.We tied the other end of the string to the other chair.chair.

4.We pumped up a round balloon, pinched it, and 4.We pumped up a round balloon, pinched it, and taped it to the straw.taped it to the straw.

5. We let the balloon go and measured the distance.5. We let the balloon go and measured the distance.

6. After measuring the distance we wrote it on our 6. After measuring the distance we wrote it on our sheet.sheet.

Procedure (continued)Procedure (continued)

7.We repeated steps 4-6 four more times for 7.We repeated steps 4-6 four more times for the round balloon.the round balloon.

8.We repeated steps 4-6 five more times for 8.We repeated steps 4-6 five more times for the oblong balloon.the oblong balloon.

9.We figured the average distance of flight 9.We figured the average distance of flight for the round and oblong balloons.for the round and oblong balloons.

10.We put the data into a table and graphs.10.We put the data into a table and graphs.

Independent Variable (what changed):Independent Variable (what changed):

Type of balloonType of balloon

Controlled Variables (did not change):Controlled Variables (did not change):

Location, starting point, supplies, amount of Location, starting point, supplies, amount of airair

Dependent Variable (what was measured):Dependent Variable (what was measured):

Distance balloons traveledDistance balloons traveled

Trial Rounds for Balloon Distances

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1 2 3 4 5

Trials

Dis

tan

ce in

in

c.

round b.

oblong b.

Average

155

160

165

170

175

180

1

Type of balloons

Dis

tan

ce i

n i

nc.

round b.

oblong b.

Our results showed the average distances Our results showed the average distances and distances for both the round and oblong and distances for both the round and oblong balloons. The recordings show that for five balloons. The recordings show that for five trial rounds the distances for the round trial rounds the distances for the round balloons were 240 in. ; 144 in. ; 120 in. ; 180 balloons were 240 in. ; 144 in. ; 120 in. ; 180 in. ; and 132 inches. The oblong balloons’ in. ; and 132 inches. The oblong balloons’ distances were 228 in. ; 180 in. ; 120 in. ; distances were 228 in. ; 180 in. ; 120 in. ; 180 in. ; and 180 inches. The data shows 180 in. ; and 180 inches. The data shows that our average distance for the round that our average distance for the round balloons was 163 inches, and the oblong balloons was 163 inches, and the oblong balloon average was 177 inches.balloon average was 177 inches.

In conclusion our project did support our In conclusion our project did support our hypothesis because the difference between hypothesis because the difference between our averages was 14 inches more on our averages was 14 inches more on average. We believe some aerodynamic average. We believe some aerodynamic structures such as jets and airplanes travel structures such as jets and airplanes travel farther on less fuel. Their shape makes less farther on less fuel. Their shape makes less friction with air. Oblong balloons have less friction with air. Oblong balloons have less friction than round balloons. We think more friction than round balloons. We think more trials and larger balloons would give us trials and larger balloons would give us different results.different results.