Use the amount of water that exploded first, and vary the amount of Alka-Seltzer; add to one canister a third of a tablet, another add two thirds, and the third add a whole tablet. Cover the canisters with a plastic bin after you’ve added the Alka-Seltzer. See which one pops first. This will determine the best combination of and Alka-Seltzer. *The experiment for 5th-6th graders turns the class demo into a full-blown experiment. You can either split this experiment into a two day lesson, (day one can be determining rocket fuel, and day two can be making rockets), or use the two lessons in one and have a long lesson that will take more time (about 60 minutes). Procedure: Please see the attached student handout for the directions and the procedure for the experiments and the rockets. Tips: You may need to demonstrate how to attach the cone and fins to the film canister. The cone covers the flat part of the canister (the side that is not covered by the lid). The fins go on opposite sides of the body of the canister, and are taped so the pointy ends are facing out, like a rocket. *Make sure kids do not tape the lid to the film canister; the lid needs to be free so that the rocket will fly. You can the student’s names/have the students write their names on their rockets with permanent marker. To set off the rocket, open the canister and add water to it. Add a piece of an tablet and quickly put on the cap so little to no gas escapes. Put the rocket on the floor against the wall with the lid as close to the wall as it can be. Make sure a path for the rocket is clear. The pressure from the carbon dioxide gas being formed will build up and blow the cap off the canister, propelling the rocket forward. Set off the rockets with the ends facing a wall, one at a time, and then measure how far they go with a meter stick. The rocket that goes the farthest distance wins.
Use the amount of water that exploded first, and vary the amount of Alka-Seltzer; add to one canister a third of a tablet, another add two thirds, and the third add a whole tablet. Cover the canisters with a plastic bin after you’ve added the Alka-Seltzer. See which one pops first. This will determine the best combination of and Alka-Seltzer. *The experiment for 5th-6th graders turns the class demo into a full-blown experiment. You can either split this experiment into a two day lesson, (day one can be determining rocket fuel, and day two can be making rockets), or use the two lessons in one and have a long lesson that will take more time (about 60 minutes). Procedure: Please see the attached student handout for the directions and the procedure for the experiments and the rockets. Tips: You may need to demonstrate how to attach the cone and fins to the film canister. The cone covers the flat part of the canister (the side that is not covered by the lid). The fins go on opposite sides of the body of the canister, and are taped so the pointy ends are facing out, like a rocket. *Make sure kids do not tape the lid to the film canister; the lid needs to be free so that the rocket will fly. You can the student’s names/have the students write their names on their rockets with permanent marker. To set off the rocket, open the canister and add water to it. Add a piece of an tablet and quickly put on the cap so little to no gas escapes. Put the rocket on the floor against the wall with the lid as close to the wall as it can be. Make sure a path for the rocket is clear. The pressure from the carbon dioxide gas being formed will build up and blow the cap off the canister, propelling the rocket forward. Set off the rockets with the ends facing a wall, one at a time, and then measure how far they go with a meter stick. The rocket that goes the farthest distance wins.
AlkaRockets.docx