How to Build a Film Canister Rocket
I had a lot of fun with this one and the expression on my face when the rocket pops is as real as it gets. Be extra careful and wear eye protection if you decide to make your own film canister rocket!
Materials
Film Canister
Alka-Seltzer tabs (any effervescence tabs will work)
Water
How does this experiment relate to science?
There a couple of science principles happening with this rocket. Newton’s Laws are certainly used and you can read about those via the link.
The reason that the rocket has the power to launch is because pressure inside the film canister is greater than the pressure outside the canister. When the effervescence tab is placed into the water a chemical reaction happens between the water and the tab. Bubbles are also evidence that a chemical reaction is happening. As the gas expands inside the container it eventually blows the lid off of the canister causing the rocket to lift off.
Higher-Level Questioning
How much water do you put in the container for the highest launch?
Could this experiment be performed on a larger scale? Tennis ball can, maybe?
I had a lot of fun with this one and the expression on my face when the rocket pops is as real as it gets. Be extra careful and wear eye protection if you decide to make your own film canister rocket!
Materials
Film Canister
Alka-Seltzer tabs (any effervescence tabs will work)
Water
How does this experiment relate to science?
There a couple of science principles happening with this rocket. Newton’s Laws are certainly used and you can read about those via the link.
The reason that the rocket has the power to launch is because pressure inside the film canister is greater than the pressure outside the canister. When the effervescence tab is placed into the water a chemical reaction happens between the water and the tab. Bubbles are also evidence that a chemical reaction is happening. As the gas expands inside the container it eventually blows the lid off of the canister causing the rocket to lift off.
Higher-Level Questioning
How much water do you put in the container for the highest launch?
Could this experiment be performed on a larger scale? Tennis ball can, maybe?