Film Canister Rocket

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Today we make some film canister rockets!  This one is really easy, super quick and mega fun :)

 

Things you need for your mini rocket:

Film Canister Rocket Materials

  • Safety Glasses – Safety 1st!
  • Old fashioned film canisters – These can be tricky to get hold of these days, but if you talk nicely to your local photo shop, they might give you a few!  We got ours from Grandma.
  • Water – warm water works best
  • Alka-Seltzer tablets – Half a tablet for each rocket works well, we used extra strength tablets.

Lets Do It!!!

Firstly, half fill your film canister with luke warm water

Half fill with water

Now you need to do this part FAST!!!  Drop half an Alka-Seltzer tablet into the film canister, then click on the lid and flip it upside-down……..

Drop in the tablet

Then stand back and watch it go!

Lift off!

This is really quick and effective, but how does it work? ………

The Science Behind The Film Canister Rocket

When the Alka-Seltzer tablet hits the water a chemical reaction occurs and CO2 (carbon dioxide) is produced.  When enclosed inside the film canister the gas produced starts to build up pressure inside the container until there is enough pressure to force the lid off.  This sudden release of energy thrusts the container into the air!

For a larger thrust experiment check out our pop bottle rocket!

Experiment Time!

Try experimenting by changing these variables:

  • Does the amount of water affect the results?
  • Does the temperature of the water change things?
  • Change the amount of Alka-Seltzer used, how much works best?
  • Try adding a cone and fins, does this affect the flight? 

Have fun and let us know how you get on by leaving a comment below :)

2 Responses to “Film Canister Rocket”

  1. Kelsey says:
    July 21, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    wow!!!

    Reply

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