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Use baking soda and
vinegar to create a chemical reaction which launches a rocket
(a film canister) sky high.
For a printable version of this project, click
here. |
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• Film canisters (Fuji film brand;
many photo labs will give empty canisters away for free)
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Vinegar (acetic acid)
Note: Do this project outside. The baking soda and vinegar
reaction makes a mess! Plus your rocket is going to fly high! As
soon as you put the lid on the film canister, move out of the way—it
can blow fast! |
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1. Take the top
off the film canister and pack the lid tightly with baking soda.
2. Pour about two teaspoons of vinegar into the
film canister.
3. Gently put the lid on the film canister and
snap closed.
4. Turn the canister upside-down, put it on the
ground, and stand back.
5. After a few seconds, the canister will shoot
up into the air. If your rocket always fizzles, try a film canister
with a tighter-fitting lid. |
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| You are creating a chemical reaction
between the baking soda (NaHCO3) and the vinegar (CH3COOH).
The vinegar reacts with the baking soda, producing carbon dioxide
gas (CO2). Pressure builds up until the small canister
can no longer contain the gas. The lid pops off, the canister shoots
up into the air, the gas escapes, and the pressure is released. |
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Copyright
© 2003 Peter Piper Publishing Inc.
Last updated April 14, 2003. |
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