Using a few simple materials that you may already have around the house, you can design and launch your own rocket. 1-2-3 Let’s Go!
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Step #1: Make the rocket body
Next
- Take the top off of a plastic film canister and wrap a sheet of construction paper around it. Tape it in place so that the open end of the canister sticks out at the bottom.
Step #2: Create the nosecone
Next
- Create a nose cone for the rocket by cutting a circle out of construction paper, using scissors to make a cut to the center, and bending it into a cone shape that you can tape to the end of the tube opposite the film canister so it looks like the second picture.
Step #3: Decorate
Next
- Decorate your rocket creatively with paint or markers. If you have extra pieces of construction paper, you can cut them into the shape of fins to attach to the bottom of the rocket.
- (I'm not the best artist, but this step isn't required.)
Step #4: Put baking soda on lid
Next
- Put some baking soda on the inside of the film canister lid and smooth it out. In my case, I just had to add 1 teaspoon.
Step #5: Fill the canister
Next
- Hold your rocket upside down and fill the film canister about halfway or so with vinegar. If you want it to go faster, add more. But beware, don't make the same mistake it did when I added too much vinegar. (It exploded in my hands, ouch!)
Step #6: Close lid and step away
Next
- Put the lid with the baking soda on the canister, quickly set the rocket down, and step away. You need to do this very quick.
Step #7: Watch it go
- The baking soda and vinegar will react to form carbon dioxide (a gas that has one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms), and the pressure created by the gas will force the lid off the container, launching your rocket into the air and crashing down.
- Please, launch the rocket outdoors to prevent it from hitting someone or his/her property.This thing can shoot pretty high, so be very carefull! Happy making!
- (As you can see It was icy outside when I made this. I made it in February.)
- Or you don't even need the body, you could just shoot the canister itself.
You can also just use the film canister. (aka you don’t have to put on the paper) It makes it much easier. You can also use alka seltzer tablets and water.
I know a better way to make a rocket. Follow these simple steps.
Supplies. pencil eraser, soda bottle, drill, duct tape, and of course some baking soda & vinegar.
1. Take an average coke bottle and drill a hole in the lid (the size of an pencil eraser).
2. Grab your duct tape and make a cone with sticky side out and put it in the coke bottle near the top and put it up side down.
3. Put eraser in hole.
4. Put baking soda in cone.
5. Pour vinegar in bottle careful now.
6. Close the lid and put it up side down. Step back and watch. Have fun.
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