Hooked on Science: Build a film canister rocket

Have you ever wanted to create a rocket? All you need are a few materials from around the house.

Materials

* Film canister

* Water

* Alka-Seltzer tablet

* Safety goggles

Instructions

STEP 1: Pour the water into the film canister until it is half full.

STEP 2: Place one of the Alka-Seltzer tablets into the film canister, snap on the lid, and quickly flip it upside down.

Explanation

Carbon dioxide gas is produced as a result of a chemical reaction between the water and Alka-Seltzer tablet. The carbon dioxide gas builds up pressure until there is enough force to launch the film canister into the air.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@hookedonscience.com. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.