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Velocities in excess of 150 mph in the first 2 meters!
With a plastic soda bottle, a poster tube for a nose cone, and some
cardboard, you can create your own rocket. Then just place your rocket on
the launcher, fill the bottle half-way with water, use a bicycle pump to
pressurize it, and off it flies. See how the shape of the rocket and fins
determine how far and fast your rocket goes. The Bottle Rocket Launcher is
an exciting introduction to space science for elementary school kids and a
great tool for older students studying mechanics.
Activities and uses
A complete set of operating instructions and
activities comes with the bottle rocket launcher. Study Newton’s Third Law
and the conservation of momentum. Experiment with different amounts of
water and different pressurizations. An air pump is required and one with a
gauge is recommended.
The next series of experiments might vary the
amount of water used but keep the pressure the same each time. In this case,
use a high enough pressure so that all the water gets expelled and the
altitude reached. By throwing water in one direction, the rocket is thrown
in the opposite direction. The water and the rocket have equal and opposite
momentum according to Newton’s Third Law.
Science Standards
In using this product,
many of the national and states’ science education standards are
covered. Some examples are provided here. These are representative, however.
Check with your state to find the exact standards.
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The position and motion of objects can be
changed by pushing or pulling. The size of the change is related to the
strength of the push or pull.
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Objects change their motion only when a net
force is applied.
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Laws of motion are used to calculate
precisely the effects of forces on the motion of objects. The magnitude of
the change in motion can be calculated using the relationship F=ma, which
is independent of nature of the force.
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Whenever one object exerts force on another,
a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is exerted on the
first object.
Note: We recommend using a two liter Pepsi or Coke
bottle for the Bottle Rocket Launcher. Some two liter bottles have a taller
spout with a bigger diameter opening compared to the bottles we recommend. These
bottles with larger spouts will not mount correctly to the Bottle Rocket
Launcher.
Recommended for ages 10+.
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