Simple Science
Tin Can Racing
You will need
1. Empty drink
cans
2. Balloons
Direction
1. Put the cans on their side
2. Blow up the balloon and rub it on your jumper or hair
3. Move the balloon close to the can until the can move
towards the balloon
4. Slowly move the can away from the balloon and
watch the balloon follow
5. Mark out your course
6. Just like in a formula one race you’ll have to stop to
refuel. Rub the balloon on your head/jumper and
start again
What’s going on?
When you rub the balloon on your hair or jumper, you build
up a negative charge on the balloon. When you bring the
balloon close to the can, the positive charges in the can are
attracted to the balloon and cause the can to move.
What next?
Does the amount of time you rub the balloon affect the
distance between the balloon and the tin?
Does the amount of time you rub the balloon affect how long
the balloon will attract the tin?
Centre for Lifelong Learning
Alex Brown, 2012
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