Make a Splash! - Water-powered rocket

You can be a rocket scientist! All you need is a few simple materials! This rocket works on the same idea real rockets do — Newton’s Third Law of Motion. You may have heard it before: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of real rockets the action is the force of the blast of hot gasses being pushed downwards out of the bottom of the rocket. The reaction is the force of those gases pushing upwards on the rocket.

What do I need?

Construction Paper
Scissors
Clear Tape
Empty Film Canister with lid (type that snaps tightly inside the canister)
Effervescent Antacid Tablet.
Eye Protection

Making the Rocket

Remove the film canister lid and set aside. Wrap and tape a tube of paper around the film canister so it makes a cylinder. Make sure the open part f the canister is facing down. Cut 3-4 paper fins and tape to the body of the rocket. Cutting a circle with a wedge cut out as shown, Roll a cone of paper and tape it to the rocket’s top. Cone may be any size. Tape the cone to the top of your rocket.

Prepare for launch!

1) Put on your eye protection
2) Turn the rocket upside down and fill the canister one-quarter full of water.

The next steps have to be done quickly!

3) Drop in one half of a tablet of effervescing antacid.
4) Snap on the lid tightly.
5) Stand the rocket upright on launch pad.
6) STAND BACK!

• Try experimenting with different sizes of rockets.
  


• Decorate your rocket to personalize it!
  


• Does the Shape of the nose cone change how the rocket flies?
  


• With a little creativity and practice, you can build rockets that will soar to unbelievable heights!

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