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Science Launch G3 / Week 01 / Launch Lab
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Week 01 · Balanced or Not?

Launch Lab

Launch Lab: Straw Blow Battle
// Pushes, pulls and what they do
⏱ about 15 min

Launch Lab: Straw Blow Battle

Rocket sets a crumpled paper ball in the middle of the table. "Let's build a blowing contest!" he says.

Raven hands out two straws. "What do you notice when we both blow at once?"

Nova hovers by the paper ball. "Watch which way it rolls," she says. "Then ask why."

The family gathers around to play.

  1. A force is a push or a pull.
  2. Balanced forces are equal and opposite. Motion does not change.
  3. Unbalanced forces start, stop, speed up, slow down or turn things.
  4. Gravity pulls things toward Earth. Friction works against motion.
◇ STRAW BLOW BATTLE
Each player gets their own straw. Do not share straws.
Crumple a sheet of paper into a small ball.
Put the ball in the middle of a table. Players sit on opposite sides.
Both players blow gently at the same time. Watch the ball.
Now one player blows harder. Watch which way the ball rolls.
Take turns being the stronger blower.
Safety first
Use a paper ball only. Nothing goes in your mouth except your own straw.
Blow gently and take breaks.
For a grown-up
Ask: what did you notice? What would you change?
Ask: when did the ball stay still? When did it move?
LAUNCH LAB CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Both players blow equally hard. The ball stays still. Why?
Equal and opposite forces are ____.
A bigger push on one side makes the forces ____.
The force from rubbing surfaces is ____.
In the straw game, did the ball roll toward the stronger or the weaker blower?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe bigger push sends the ball away from the stronger blower, toward the weaker one.
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