How to Make a Nose Cone on a Bottle Rocket

Making bottle rockets is a great way to learn about pressure and aerodynamics. When making a bottle rocket, structural issues need to be addressed during construction. The nosecone on the bottle rocket helps to cut through the air and allow the rocket to fly as high as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Small athletic cone
• Heavy duty scissors
• Modeling clay
• Utility knife
• String

Instructions

1. Cut the square base off of the bottom of the cone, to leave only the cone shape. Use heavy duty scissors and carefully cut only the square base.

2. Roll some modeling clay into a ball and drop it into the cone from the bottom so that it drops into the narrow top. Push it in with a pencil to make sure it stays in place. This will give the nose more weight and allow it to lead the rest of your rocket.

3. Use a utility knife to carefully cut a small hole or slit into the side of both your bottle rocket and the nose cone. Tie one side of a 12-inch length of string through each hole so that they are connected. This will prevent your nose cone from becoming lost after a launch.

References

• Lancaster High School: Mr. Hayhurst's Quick and Easy Bottle Rocket