How to Build a Fume Propelled Bottle Rocket

A bottle rocket is nothing more than a bottle that turns into a rocket. If you want to build a fume propelled bottle rocket you need to remember there is a potential for danger. The bottle travels fast so be careful.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gallon jug or bottle with a narrow opening.
• Heat gasoline antifreeze or alcohol
• Lighter
• Long wooden fireplace matches
• Needle nose pliers
• Insulated cooking mitt
• Protective eyewear

1. Take the narrow mouthed bottle out in an open area and prepare to make your fume propelled bottle rocket. This rocket moves quickly across the ground. Make sure there is nothing in its way.

2. Pour 2 tbsp. of Heat gasoline antifreeze or alcohol into the bottle and cap it. The Heat evaporates quickly so you need to cap the bottle as soon as you can to avoid losing all the fuel to evaporation. When you build a fume propelled bottle rocket, the fuel makes the fumes.

3. Swish the liquid Heat all around the bottle. Roll it on the ground. This allows more movement of the liquid inside the bottle. You need to make sure it coats the entire interior of the bottle.

4. Take a wooden fireplace match from the box. Make sure you put on protective eyewear and an insulated mitt. Grasp the match with the pliers.

5. Lay the bottle on its side. Remove the lid from the gallon jug.

6. Stand to the side of the rocket as far away as possible and light the match with the lighter.

7. Hold the match to the open end of the bottle. When you light the Heat on the inside of the bottle it takes off when the fumes ignite. The fumes propel the bottle rocket. Make sure you are at the side. If you are behind, injury from burns is a possibility. If you stand in front, the rocket hits you.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very careful when you light the rocket. Never do this alone or without parent's permission.