| For every action, there is equal and opposite reaction. | | | | sheet of paper into a long tube and tape shut |
| If you blow up a balloon and let it go (without tying | | | | (younger kids can roll the paper around a dowel to |
| the end), the air in the balloon goes in one direction | | | | help). Cut triangle fins out of index cards and hot glue |
| and the balloon itself goes the opposite way. | | | | onto one end of the rocket. To make the nosecone, |
| Rockets use this same principle. The thrust going out | | | | cut a circle out of paper. You can trace the inner |
| the back end pushes the rocket forward. | | | | diameter of masking tape roll to get a good circle. To |
| The rockets we're about to build rely on generating | | | | make a flat circle into a 3D cone, begin to cut the |
| enough pressure and releasing that pressure very | | | | circle in half, but stop cutting when you get to the |
| quickly. You will generate pressure by pumping in air | | | | center. Slide one flap over the other to form a |
| or through chemical reactions (which generate | | | | (nose)cone and tape shut. Pile a lot of glue inside the |
| gaseous products). | | | | cone and add the long straw and wait to dry. Slip the |
| Let's get started! | | | | straw inside the tube and seal the nosecone to the |
| Seltzer Rockets: Place an Alka-Seltzer tablet in a | | | | rocket body. When dry, blow into your straw to |
| white Fuji film canister (black Kodak canisters won't | | | | check for leaks. It should be impossible to blow |
| work) and fill one-third with water. Working quickly, | | | | through. If you have a leak, go back and fix it now. |
| cap it and invert it on the sidewalk. Stand back... POP! | | | | Otherwise, slip over the metal tube and blow hard. If |
| You'll find there's an optimal water level for maximum | | | | you have one, apply a nozzle from an air tank or |
| height. If you work fast, you can get about four | | | | compressor to blast these rockets hundred of feet in |
| launches from one tablet. What happens if you try | | | | the air! If your straws come loose, simply cut the |
| two tablets at once? | | | | rocket body just below the nosecone and rebuild the |
| Paper Blow-Gun Rockets: Make a very long straw by | | | | straw-cone assembly, fastening in place when ready. |
| joining two straws with tape. Roll an 8½x11" | | | | |