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Experiment with Squid Propulsion
In this science experiment, kids will build a water-powered "squid" toy while exploring how squids swim -- and Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
A squid can shoot backwards through the water like a rocket by squeezing water out of it's pallial cavity!
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this experiment, when the balloon pushes water out of the nozzle, there is an equal and opposite push that forces the “squid” forward.
Instructions
Carefully fill up the balloon with water. Twist the end of the balloon closed to keep the water in, then stretch the mouth of the balloon over the part of the closed water bottle nozzle that would have screwed onto the bottle. (You can let go now, as the closed water nozzle will keep the water from pouring out.)
Put the giant squid into the tub; open up the nozzle and give the squid a little push. The propulsion from the jet of water coming out of the back of the squid will push it along, just like a real squid!
