Fizzy Rockets (Science Box Experiment 1)
As part of CoCoMAD, Royal Society of Chemistry have funded science boxes which are being distributed to local school children - however - the experiments are available online for anyone to take part!
Below you’ll find the experiment introductions, equipment list, method, questions to explore and - very important - health and safety information.
Introduction
Gas takes up a lot more space than solids and liquids so, in a closed container the generation of gas in a chemical reaction can cause it to explode as it cannot contain the gas. When sodium bicarbonate is mixed with an acid it makes carbon dioxide (a gas). In baking this reaction is used to make bubbles in sponge cakes.
This experiment uses the reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in water to produce carbon dioxide in a closed film canister and the lid pops off when the pressure inside gets too high which makes the rocket takes off.
Equipment List
Photo film canisters (or any other container with clip on lid such as fizzy vitamin or headache tablets)
Stickers for decoration (or anything else you want to use to decorate your rocket)
Spatula (or teaspoon)
Citric acid (or vinegar)
Bicarbonate of soda
Water
What to do
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE READ THE HEALTH AND SAFETY SECTION BEFORE CARRYING OUT THE ACTIVITY – THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY, FRIENDS OF COTTERIDGE PARK AND THE DEVELOPER DO NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY
This experiment will mean surfaces getting wet so ideally do it outside or somewhere inside where it is easy to clean up afterwards and it doesn’t matter if things get hit by flying film canisters.
Take a film canister (if you are old enough, you may reminisce!) and decorate it with the star stickers and any other stickers, tape or glitter glue that you may have around the house.
Mix citric acid (chemical formula: C3H5O(COOH)3) and sodium bicarbonate (chemical formula: NaHCO3) in equal amount (about a spatula full of each) – you can experiment with different ratios.
Place a teaspoonful of this mixture into the film canister.
Add about 3ml of water to the mixture, put the lid on the canister.
Quickly place the sealed canister lid side down on a flat, firm surface and stand back (the rocket is now primed).
Count down and wait for the rocket to take off.
Things to investigate
Try changing the citric acid to sodium bicarbonate ratio to see which makes the rocket fly highest.
Try making a bigger rocket using a bigger bottle (you may need to add sticks to stabilise it).
Try acetic acid (vinegar) rather than citric acid.
Perhaps try out the different ratios in cups and add water to see which one fizzes the most. Then use your fizziest mixture in your rocket.
Health and Safety (remember to always use common sense)
Risk(s) / Precaution(s)
1) Eye damage
(from a flying rocket)
· Do not stare directly down on a primed rocket
· Wear eye protection
2) Electrocution
· Do not carry out this experiment near electrical devices
Where can I learn more?
Make a bigger rocket:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5L4wBF5X_g
Make a bubble boat:
https://edu.rsc.org/resources/a-chemically-powered-boat-a-bubble-race/615.article
Feedback
We really hope you enjoy the experiments and would love your feedback on the activities and on the science activities and talks at Virtual CoCoMAD (4th July).
To send feedback please use the QR code or the link below to get to the feedback form which will probably take about five minutes to complete.
If you do you will be invited to leave your email address and you will be entered into a draw to win a pack of RSC Periodic Table Top Trumps.
https://bham.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eIGeizxfkWcVx3
Please post your photos and comments on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: #time4chem, #CoCoMADSciBox #CoCoMAD
