Published on Sep 28, 2024
The objective:
Rockets are fascinating! They soar into the sky and help us know many secrets. Are you fascinated by rockets? If your answer is yes, you would be interested in this activity.
The rockets that you can make safely will not go very far, perhaps much less then the rockets we enjoy on the Deepawali day. But then you will agree, the fun and excitement to make your own rocket has a totally different dimension.
The basic principle of rocketry is Newton's Third Law of Motion, that is, "For every action there is an equal an opposite reaction". A big rocket uses chemicals to release an intense stream of gas out its tail end that propels it upwards. A fuel is used in a rocket to produce this gas through some chemical reaction. The rocket fuel is sometimes liquid, and sometimes solid. But, in all cases, a gas is ejected from the tail of the rocket.
The first kind of rocket that we can make is propelled by a very safe gas - carbon dioxide. The fuel it uses is water and Eno tablet. This kind produces no flames, and uses no toxic chemicals. You may even drink the rocket fuel, it might help if you have an upset stomach!
To make this rocket you will need:
• One sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper (colored paper is good)
• One Fuji 35mm film can
• One half of an ENO tablet to produce carbon dioxide. Alternatively, you can use baking soda and vinegar instead of the ENO tablet, to produce the carbon dioxide.
• Cello tape (the "magic" kind is more water resistant!)
• Scissors
• A circular object to trace (like a roll of masking tape)
• A small amount of water
• A pencil for tracing the round shape
• A towel to be used as a launch pad (indoors)
There is yet another design; this design is not based on carbon dioxide produced from ENO tablets or baking soda, instead it is based on the gases emitted when one lights a matchstick.