Materials Required:
2-liter soda bottle
3 unsharpened pencils
Duct tape
Cork that fits the soda bottle
Paper towels
Baking soda
Vinegar (large quantity)
Steps Involved:
Prepare the Rocket:
Attach the three pencils as “feet” to the soda bottle using duct tape to create a stand. Ensure the bottle can stand upright on its own.
Avoid adding decorations that might make the rocket heavier and reduce its height during the launch.
Create the Baking Soda Packet:
Cut a small square from a paper towel (half of a select-a-size paper towel works well).
Place a portion of baking soda in the center of the square. Fold the paper towel around the baking soda to create a narrow packet that can fit through the mouth of the bottle.
Add the Vinegar:
Pour approximately two inches of vinegar into the bottle. Adjust the quantity based on experimentation for varied results.
Launch the Rocket:
Quickly drop the baking soda packet into the bottle.
Immediately push the cork into the bottle’s mouth. Be careful not to push it in too tightly to avoid a failed launch.
Turn the bottle over and step back. The rocket may take up to 30 seconds to launch.
Observe the Launch:
Watch as the pressure from the CO2 gas builds up, forcing the cork out and propelling the rocket upwards. Discuss how this demonstrates Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion.
Experiment Further:
Vary the quantities of baking soda and vinegar to see how it affects the height of the rocket’s launch. Record observations for each trial.
Safety Tip:
Ensure students stand back once the rocket is set up to avoid getting hit by the launching bottle.
Science Explanation:
Discuss the chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. This reaction builds up pressure that leads to the rocket launch, exemplifying Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion.