Rocket Experiment

Materials: plastic flask, cork, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, spoonful of baking soda, paper coffee filter
Note: Only attempt this activity where this is overhead space and room to move away.

Pour a 1/2 cup of water and a 1/2 cup of vinegar into the flask. Put a spoonful of baking soda into a coffee filter, roll and twist it closed. Put the coffee filter in the flask, cork it and move away...fast! Both the baking soda and vinegar contain molecules (which have potential energy in their bonds). When mixed together the bonds break and the molecules rearrange themselves to produce a gas releasing energy. The continued production of gas in a closed container increases the pressure (potential energy) in the container. This experiments demonstrates chemical energy converted to mechanical energy or movement.

Design a film canister to look like a rocket (add fins, nose cones, etc.). Put a little baking soda and vinegar in the rocket and quickly close the lid and invert. Lift off! (NOTE: You'll need to use the type of canister where the lid fits inside the canister rather than the cap style.)