Building a baking soda and vinegar rocket is a great science class project, but also a very fun activity to do with a friend or family member. Assemble the rocket body and add the wings; uses a PCV tube to make a sturdy and reusable launch pad. When you are ready for action, go to an open area and launch your creation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assembling the Rocket Body
Step 1. Roll up a 18x23cm sheet of lightweight construction paper to form a cone
Take the bottom right corner of the paper and roll it to the left corner; make sure it is quite tight and continue until you get a cone. Put a small piece of duct tape on the end to secure everything.
Use your hands to shape the cardboard and make it a perfect cone
Step 2. Join the cone to the bottom of an empty half liter plastic bottle
Insert the base of the bottle into the cone and secure the ends with adhesive tape; apply two or three layers to make the joint secure.
If the cone is too large, cut off the base until it reaches the correct diameter for the bottom of the bottle
Step 3. Add the wings
Cut out a piece of cardboard measuring 13x15 cm. Fold it in half and use scissors to make a diagonal cut by turning the paper into two triangles. Cut the latter in half again to obtain a total of four right-angled triangles; choose three to turn them into wings and attach them to the rocket body following this procedure:
- Fold the long side of each triangle by 1.5 cm;
- Cut two notches 5 cm apart along the edge just folded to obtain three tabs;
- Fold the middle one back;
- Secure each tab to the bottle using masking tape.
Part 2 of 3: Building the Launch Pad
Step 1. Make a mark 13 cm from the end of a PVC pipe
For this operation you need a permanent marker; the mark indicates where you need to cut the pipe.
- Check that the diameter of the tube is large enough to accommodate the top of the bottle.
- You can buy the PVC pipe in the hardware store.
Step 2. Use a hand hacksaw to cut the pipe
Put it on a sturdy surface and hold it steady with one hand; place the blade on the mark you made earlier and slowly move it back and forth to saw through the material. Ask an adult for help to complete this step to avoid injury.
Ask a helper to hold the other end of the pipe steady or use a vise while using the hacksaw
Step 3. Insert the bottle opening into the tube
The tip of the cone should be facing up. Check that the tip of the bottle does not touch the ground; the purpose of the tube is to keep it raised.
If the bottle comes into contact with the ground, you need to use a longer segment of PVC
Part 3 of 3: Launch the Rocket
Step 1. Fill the bottle halfway with vinegar
Although it is possible to use any type of vinegar, the distilled white one is recommended, as it is less dirty.
Step 2. Prepare a bag of baking soda
Pour a spoonful into the center of a paper towel; fold and roll it to form a bundle, taking care that the baking soda cannot come out. Also check that the package is small enough to fit in the bottle.
- The napkin acts as a timed trigger; that way, you have time to get away from the rocket before it explodes.
- If the napkin breaks off exposing the baking soda, replace it.
Step 3. Go to the garden or another outdoor area
Bring the rocket, the launch pad, the packet of baking soda and a cork with you; place the PVC ramp in the center of the free surface, away from walls and windows.
Choose an outdoor area that you can get dirty without a problem
Step 4. Put the baking soda packet in the bottle
Quickly plug it with cork and insert it into the PVC tube with the opening facing downwards; perform this sequence very quickly.
The cone must face the sky
Step 5. Take a step back and watch your creation take flight
To ensure your safety, move at least a couple of meters away; it takes 10-15 seconds for the rocket to explode.
If it doesn't explode, you may have corked the bottle too hard
Warnings
- Avoid launching the rocket near cars, houses, windows and other fragile or valuable items.
- Don't direct it towards yourself or other people.
- Wear protective eyewear.
