Blast Off!

Ready for takeoff, in 3...2...1...

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Today, we repeated our chemistry experiment with a new twist. As in scientific inquiry, it makes sense to change one aspect of an experiment to quantify any changes in results. In today's experiment, we replace the balloon with a cork in the bottle top.

1. Examine the different properties of the balloon and the cork. The balloon is "stretchy", "blows up" and has an "inside where the air goes." The cork is "like wood" and "stays the same."
2. Predict what will happen, based on what we observed yesterday with the balloon. Pretty much everyone agreed that the cork would "cannonball" or "blast-off".
3. We conducted the experiment several times. Sure enough, when the "bubbles" built up in the bottle, they created enough pressure to blow the cork a good 30 ft. into the air!
   On our last try, we used twice as much "fuel" and netted two "blastoffs" without refilling.
   

Tomorrow: Vacuum in the Bottle
We're using the same basic equipment all week for a variety of experiments.
Note: Large Martinelli Apple Juice bottles are perfect if you want to try these at home - the base is large enough for easy observation, the neck is perfect for a balloon, champagne cork or mystery object we'll use for tomorrow's experiment.

TODAY'S STORY
Bigger Than Daddy, by Harriet Ziefert. Little Edward wants onthing more than to be big like his daddy. After imagining how big he'll grow, he and his father reverse roles. Dad plays the part to the point of not being able to prepare dinner for "being too little." Edward resets their roles to enable dinner, bath time and bedtime with a gentle kiss goodnight.