by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - August, 2014
There's
nothing like a little rocket science to add some excitement to the
day! My three and six year old grandsons and I had fun launching quite a
few of rockets recently! We set off between two and six rockets on at
least three different days, and it brought such joy and laughter from
these two precious little guys! I did the launching myself for safety's
sake.
This is what actually happens! The water starts to dissolve the Alka-seltzer tablet inside a film canister, creating a gas called carbon dioxide. As the gas is released inside the tightly closed canister, it creates pressure until it blasts off the cap and the rocket is blasted into the air with a loud pop! This system of thrust is what makes a real rocket blast off, although they use rocket fuel, of course. Here's how to have fun blasting off rockets, but be sure to do it safely!
This is what actually happens! The water starts to dissolve the Alka-seltzer tablet inside a film canister, creating a gas called carbon dioxide. As the gas is released inside the tightly closed canister, it creates pressure until it blasts off the cap and the rocket is blasted into the air with a loud pop! This system of thrust is what makes a real rocket blast off, although they use rocket fuel, of course. Here's how to have fun blasting off rockets, but be sure to do it safely!
Supplies:
* 1 empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid. Since digital cameras, these are becoming harder to find, but you might try checking at a store that develops film for some. A tip: I've found that the white film canisters work better. The lids are not quite as tight.
* A permanent marker
* 1 fizzing anti-acid tablet (I bought an off brand similar to Alka-seltzer at a dollar store for a much better price!) One tablet usually works for 2 rocket blast offs OR you can break the tablet in half for each blast off.
* 1 teaspoon water
* A pair of safety goggles would be a good idea
* 1 empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid. Since digital cameras, these are becoming harder to find, but you might try checking at a store that develops film for some. A tip: I've found that the white film canisters work better. The lids are not quite as tight.
* A permanent marker
* 1 fizzing anti-acid tablet (I bought an off brand similar to Alka-seltzer at a dollar store for a much better price!) One tablet usually works for 2 rocket blast offs OR you can break the tablet in half for each blast off.
* 1 teaspoon water
* A pair of safety goggles would be a good idea
Directions:
* Paint vertical stripes on the white film canister.
* Put on safety goggles and carry your supplies outdoors.
* Make a launching pad (level place on the ground, driveway, or a spot in the grass). An upside-down five-gallon bucket is what we used. That saves a little time and is easier on the back as well.
* Place half or whole tablet in the film canister. If you use a whole tablet, the remaining part will work to set off another rocket.
* The next three steps must be done quickly!! (**) - It's a good idea for an adult to do this first so you know how much time is needed (usually about 10 seconds).
** Quickly pour a teaspoon of water into the canister (over the tablet).
** Quickly put on the lid, making sure it snaps (listen for the snap) and set the canister on the launching pad, with the lid facing down.
** Quickly stand back at least 10 feet from the launching pad and wait!
* About 10 seconds later you will hear a pop as the canister flies into the air!
* If it doesn't launch, patiently wait at least 30 seconds before checking to see if the lid was on tightly enough, and try again.
After you learn how to do the basics of this experiment, you may want to experiment with controlling the rocket's path by adding fins and a nose cone that you can make out of paper.
* Paint vertical stripes on the white film canister.
* Put on safety goggles and carry your supplies outdoors.
* Make a launching pad (level place on the ground, driveway, or a spot in the grass). An upside-down five-gallon bucket is what we used. That saves a little time and is easier on the back as well.
* Place half or whole tablet in the film canister. If you use a whole tablet, the remaining part will work to set off another rocket.
* The next three steps must be done quickly!! (**) - It's a good idea for an adult to do this first so you know how much time is needed (usually about 10 seconds).
** Quickly pour a teaspoon of water into the canister (over the tablet).
** Quickly put on the lid, making sure it snaps (listen for the snap) and set the canister on the launching pad, with the lid facing down.
** Quickly stand back at least 10 feet from the launching pad and wait!
* About 10 seconds later you will hear a pop as the canister flies into the air!
* If it doesn't launch, patiently wait at least 30 seconds before checking to see if the lid was on tightly enough, and try again.
After you learn how to do the basics of this experiment, you may want to experiment with controlling the rocket's path by adding fins and a nose cone that you can make out of paper.
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