How to Make a 2 Liter Bottle a Rocket Ship for a Science Project

You can create a simulation of what happens during a real rocket launch.

A bottle rocket experiment allows you to demonstrate Newton's third law of motion to your children or students. That is, every action creates an equal and opposite reaction. This physical force should be apparent at the time of liftoff. When staging such an experiment, make sure you set it up outside because your bottle rocket may reach an altitude of 30 feet.

Things You'll Need

• Bicycle pump
• Wine cork
• Glue
• Cardboard
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut out three cardboard fins or legs with a scissors and glue them to the bottom of an upside-down plastic soda bottle. The idea is to make the upside-down 2-litter bottle stand on its own using a tri-pod formation.

2. Fill the bottle a little less than half full with water. Apply the cork to keep the water from escaping the bottle. Water temperature will not play much of a factor in this experiment.

3. Insert the needle from a bicycle pump into the cork at the base of the bottle. Gently set the bottle rocket on flat terrain outside in an open area, and start pumping slowly. After about five to seven pumps, the air pressure will build and the cork will pop out. This will cause your rocket to blast off. If all goes well, your rocket should launch about 30 to 60 feet into the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Fun for all ages

• Angle the bottle away from the person operating bicycle pump.

• Make sure the experiment is done under adult supervision.

References

• Montana State University Department of Physics: Bottle Rocket Lab