Get kids excited about learning science by making science fun. This is a simple, safe experiment that can be done at home. Make a film canister rocket to explore this physical science.
The science principle is acids and bases. The child will learn how acid and bases interact when one is liquid and one is a solid. There are several methods here to try. It would be interesting to have students do a variety of methods and compare the results. This would also provide an opportunity to practice graphing and charting results.
These experiments are best done outside, mostly for mess control.
Baking Powder Rocket
Supplies needed:
- 1 empty film canister (visit photo shops or stores that do one hour processing, since not many of us use 35m film these days)
- baking powder
- water
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) measuring spoons (best to have 1 per student)
- eye protection (safety glasses or goggles a must – for safety, and to teach children science safety)
Procedure:
- Fill canister almost to the top with water.
- Measure 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) baking powder into the spoon.
- Set the canister on the ground, hold the lid close by with one hand.
- With the other hand, quickly pour the baking powder in.
- Very quickly, put the lid on the canister and step back 2 giant steps. Watch!
Baking Soda and Vinegar Rocket
The reaction between baking soda and vinegar happens very quickly, so this one is more challenging. Come up with ideas to slow the reaction, like taping the baking soda to a scrap of paper.
Supplies needed:
- 1 empty film canister
- baking soda
- vinegar
- one teaspoon (5 ml) measuring spoons (best to have 1 per student)
- eye protection
Procedure:
- Go outside.
- Fill canister almost to the top with vinegar.
- Measure 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda.
- Set the canister on the ground, hold the lid close by with one hand.
- With the other hand, quickly pour the baking soda in.
- Very quickly, put the lid on the canister and step back 2 giant steps. Watch!
Alka-Seltzer Rocket
Supplies needed:
- 1 empty film canister
- 1 fizzing antacid tablet such as Alka-Seltzer
- water
- eye protection
Procedure:
- Break the antacid tablet in half.
- Go outside.
- Remove the lid from the film canister, set it on the ground.
- Fill the canister one half full of water.
- Hold the lid close by with one hand.
- Drop the tablet half into the canister and snap the cap on, make sure it snaps shut.
- Quickly flip it over cap side down and step back 2 giant steps very fast.
- In about 10 seconds, you will hear a pop and the film canister will launch into the air!
Caution: If it does not launch, wait at least 30 seconds before examining the canister. Usually the cap is not on tight enough and the gas leaked out.
Soda Pop Rocket
This version takes a bit of human energy to cause the explosion.
Supplies needed:
- 1 empty film canister
- soda pop or carbonated water (any flavor)
- eye protection
Procedure:
- Fill canister almost to the top with soda pop.
- Firmly attach the lid.
- Go outside.
- Shake very vigorously while timing. After one minute, set the canister on the ground and quickly step back 2 giant steps. Watch!
- Experiment with different lengths of shaking time, recording on a log. Which time produced the best explosion?
Why Does a Film Canister Rocket Work?
- Antacid tablets and baking powder are a combination of acid and base ingredients. The base is the sodium bicarbonate, which is an ingredient in both. Antacids also contain citric acid; baking soda has cream of tartar for the acid ingredient. When the tablet or baking powder is dropped into water, the ingredients become active, causing the reaction.
- Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a base. Vinegar is an acid.
- The acid mixes with the sodium bicarbonate to produce bubbles of carbon dioxide gas – the same stuff we exhale. As the carbon dioxide is being released, it creates pressure inside the film canister, it needs a lot of space to work.
- The more gas that is made, the more pressure builds up until the cap it blasted off, “launching the rocket.” This is the principle of thrust in a real rocket launch, although they use fuel, of course.
Turn Fun Rockets into Science Experiments
To make any of these rockets a true experiment, answer these questions and log your findings.
- Does water temperature affect how fast the rocket launches?
- Does the size of the antacid tablet piece, the amount of baking soda or baking powder affect the launch?
- How long it takes for the rocket to launch?.
- How much water in the canister will give the highest flight?
- How much water will give the quickest launch?
What Makes a Volcano Erupt?
What happens deep in the earth? In a volcano, pressure and high temperatures cause rocks to melt, called magma. Under this magma, pressure continues to build, with liquids and gases present. The water heats into steam, carbon dioxide is released, and the volcano explodes.
Related article:
Elementary Science Experiments: Make a Volcano
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Valerie Prax - Valerie Prax recently retired after nearly 35 years with University of Minnesota Extension. She served as an Educator and Professor for 27 ...
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