How to Build a Car From a Pop Bottle
Making a car out of a pop bottle helps teach the chemical reaction that occurs when an acid and a base are combined. It is also a suitable project for long summer days when boredom sets in. All the supplies are readily available in most homes, making this a free toy that provides hours of fun. While pop bottle cars are generally safe, it is best to have an adult help make it and supervise the launching to ensure no one gets hurt.
Things You'll Need
- Wood
- Saw
- Nails
- Washers
- Toy wheels
- Hammer
- Pop bottle
- Packing tape
- Vinegar
- Tissue
- Baking soda
- Measuring cups
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of 2x1 inch wood to a 6-inch length with a hand or power saw. This is the platform for the car.
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2
Slip a washer onto a 2-inch long nail. Slide a toy wheel from a kid's building set or other toy car onto the nail then place another washer on, sandwiching the wheel between the washer. Repeat three more times to make each wheel and axle.
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3
Hammer the nail into the side of the board. Place two wheels on each side, spacing them evenly as they would be on a car. Check each wheel to ensure it turns freely and adjust the depth of the nails as necessary until they do.
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4
Wash out a plastic pop bottle and let it dry. Lay it on its side on the wooden base and wrap packing tape around it and the base to secure them together.
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5
Fill the bottle with ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup water. This provides the acid for the car fuel.
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6
Place 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda on a paper facial tissue. Fold the tissue up to make a packet that holds the baking soda.
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7
Place the tissue packet inside the bottle and screw the cap on tightly. Shake the bottle until it begins to foam inside.
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8
Set the car down on a smooth surface and quickly remove the cap. The escaping pressure from the acid and base mixture causes the car to go on its own.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Create wheels by drilling holes slightly wider than the nail in the center of plastic bottle caps.
An adult should cut the board down to size and handle any necessary drilling.
