Day 7: Rocket Engineering
STEP 1: We’re now stepping into the world of physical sciences—but don’t worry, we’ll circle back to our earlier ideas soon (you’ll see how it all connects later!). For now, carefully watch the video below showing the chemical reaction between an Alka-Seltzer tablet and water in a film canister.
STEP 2: Using what you saw in the video, plan an informal investigation to find out which mix of water and Alka-Seltzer creates the biggest explosion. On a sheet of paper, write your plan, including what you’ll change, what you’ll measure, and how you’ll collect your data. Then, get your materials ready: open your Alka-Seltzer tablets, fill a cup with water, and set up your film canisters in a safe, open area that’s easy to clean.
STEP 3: Check out the video below to see how what you’re doing connects to Newton’s Laws of Motion—especially the third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. As you watch, think about how this applies to your film canister rocket. When the gas builds up and pushes the lid off, what happens to the canister? How is that like a real rocket launching?
STEP 4: Now it’s time to get crafty and build the exterior of your rocket! Use the materials provided to create fins, a nose cone, or any other design features you think will help your rocket fly—or just make it look awesome.
Check out the images and this video below for inspiration, but make sure to add your own creative twist. There’s no one right way to build your rocket—have fun and make it your own!
STEP 5: When you’re done, upload a picture of your finished rocket using the QR code below. Be sure to type your first name in the “Subject” line when you upload. Click here to see all posts.
