Launching Homemade Baking Soda Rockets

Introduction

Have you ever enjoyed watching something lift off into the air, like fireworks at a show or a spacecraft launching? It can be an amazing experience. It is thrilling to see something lift off against Earth's gravity. To launch a spacecraft, its rockets give it a strong push that is due to a chemical reaction. This means that every time you see a spacecraft launch, you are watching chemistry at work. In this activity you will get to blast an object into the air using two simple ingredients— baking soda and vinegar. Investigate how to mix these ingredients to get the best lift off, and then you could give your friends and family a homemade, gravity-defying show!

Credits

Materials

• Plastic film canister with a lid and tight seal. Fuji or Kodak canisters should work. Tip: Try asking a local camera shop for empty canisters.
• Baking soda
• Measuring spoons
• Wax paper or bowl
• Spoon
• Water
• Vinegar
• An open outdoor area at least two meters from buildings. It is ideal to have a hard, flat surface, like a paved patio or driveway.
• Safety goggles
• Rag or paper towel
• Optional: Construction paper, transparent tape, stickers, and scissors