Alka-Seltzer Rocket
Let's have a great time using some old film canisters and Alka-Selter tablets to
make rockets that blast from a chemical reaction. We will demonstrate how
expanding carbon dioxide gas creates pressure. And have allot of fun while doing
it!
Materials
- Old Plastic 35mm Film Canisters
- Water
- Alka-Seltzer Tablets
- Goggles
- Some Towels
- A Pan
Process
- Put on the goggles.
- Open film canister and fill 1/2 with water.
- Drop either half or a whole Alka Seltzer tablet inside.
- Very very very quickly put the lid back on the plastic film canister.
- Wait for the lid to blow off.
- Repeat the process but this time place the rocket upside down with the lid on
bottom. Set it in the pan to limit the mess.
- Test out several different film canisters to find one that the lid does not fit too
tightly on. If it's to tight it will have problems coming off and might not launch your
rocket very well. So get a few different kinds.
Write down your observations. Here are some things to check. How long did it
take for the reaction to begin? How long did it take to make the lid blow? You can
experiment with different levels of water and amount of tablets (1/4, 1/2 , 3/4, 1)
and record the results.
The Science:
When we mix the water and Alka Seltzer tablet a chemical reaction occurs with
carbon dioxide gas building up. The pressure increases inside the canister until
the lid is blown right off.
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