Experiment of the Month

Alka Seltzer Rockets

You can launch your own rocket using things you can find around your house.

Materials:

1. film cannister (fuji style)
2. Alka Seltzer Tablet
3. water

Procedure:

1. Fill the film cannister halfway with water.
2. Drop in 1/2 a tablet of Alka Seltzer.
3. Snap the lid on tightly and place on the film cannister on the ground with the lid down.
4. Step away from the rocket.

What's happening?

This is a perfect example of Newton's Third Law of Motion - For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The Alka Seltzer reacts with the water and produces carbon dioxide. The more carbon dioxide, the greater the pressure in the film cannister until the lid pops. This "action" causes the "reaction" of the film cannister blasting into the sky. Be careful with this experiment as the film cannister is moving at a fairly high rate of speed when it launches. You can dress up your rocket and make it look like a rocket by printing off a template at the NASA site. Have fun!