Bottle Rockets

This activity is a fun way to embrace creativity and learn some of the math and science behind the creation of rockets. There are even other experiments you can do with your rockets such as seeing what happens when you use carbonated water or different amounts of water in your rocket.


This experiment works because the bike pump adds air to the bottle which creates pressure. When there is too much air in the bottle it forces the bottle off the cork and the water shoots out, creating thrust.

Example of a bottle rocket

Materials:

  • Small plastic bottles

  • Corks with holes drilled through them

  • Drill

  • Masking tape

  • Water

  • Bike air pump

  • Cardboard

  • Scissors

  • Paper

  • Hot glue

  • Hot glue sticks

  • Decoration materials


Procedure:

  1. Drill a hole into the cork so that it is equal to the size of the needle on the bike pump

  2. Wrap masking tape around the outside of the cork so that it just barely fits into the opening of the bottle

  3. Cut out cardboard pieces as fins and attach them to the side of the bottle using hot glue

  4. Create a nosecone using paper or cardboard and attach it to the top of the bottle using hot glue

  5. Fill the bottle about halfway with water and put the cork in

  6. Take the rocket outside and to the launching place

  7. Put the bike needle into the hole of the cork and set up the angle of the rocket

  8. Pump the bike pump and watch the rocket fly


Important notes:

  • Be prepared to get wet

  • The area with the opening, which would be considered the top of the bottle, is actually the bottom of the bottle in this activity. The area which would be considered the bottle of the bottle which the bottle sits on is considered the top in this activity. Be sure to plan the nosecone and the fins accordingly.