Reflection On the Propulsion Game

Few weeks ago, we had our in class activity: Propulsion game. The purpose of this activity was to allow us to understand how propulsion works in engine. We were given set of materials for the class activity: a balloon, papers and ping pong ball. The objective is simple, all we need to do is to send the ping pong ball as high up as possible using those materials. 

We started off by rolling the paper into a cone shape and also blowing the balloon up. After the balloon was blown to a suitable size, we then place the paper cone into the balloon mouth. Once everything is in place, we then put the ping pong ball into the cone. What we were doing is to allow the air from the balloon to escape and enters from the end of the cone. This is to generate enough lift for the ping pong ball to float. However, this idea was not very helpful as we cannot get the ping pong ball to lift high enough.

We then slowly discuss what other ways to solve the problem. Then we came up with the idea of placing the ping pong ball directly in the mouth of the balloon after it was blown up. After all is in place, we tried to force the air out of the balloon, by exerting force on the balloon. Why we did this is to force the air to rush out as fast as possible, to generate the maximum lift for the ping pong ball. However, we encountered problems. The ping pong ball just stuck there and we cant force the air out. 

This is the video of our first attempt using the balloon method: 

We even had to force the balloon out ourselves, which turns out to be a failed method. The whole class did have a good laugh because of the method we use. 

We never give up. We continue with that method, hoping that it will work. We then place the ping pong ball again at the mouth of the balloon. We then try to do it slowly, preventing the balloon from bursting. But we were wrong. The balloon eventually burst, causing a loud bang in class and everyone was again having a great laugh because of it.

Here is the second try of the method, and also the bursting of the balloon.