Yumiko Mori

Internet version [Naruhodo no Mori] Vol.18

by Yumiko Mori

Title
Vol. 18     May 15th, 1996

Water Rocket

Home science experiments for mothers of elementary school children



Water Rocket Toshi: "I really want to make a plastic bottle rocket."
Mom: "I heard plastic bottle rockets are very popular."
Toshi: "Mom, can you make it?"
Mom: "Well, you should make your own research."

But eventually Mom helped Toshi.  She bought various parts necessary for this experiment.
Mom: "The principle why this rocket can fly is not so difficult to understand."
Toshi: "How far does this rocket fly?  I wonder."
Mom: "I heard this could fly 20 m high."

We made a rocket from scrap.
On a national holiday, our whole family went to a community park.
Tae: "I am putting air in!"
Tae started to pump air in, but soon the pumped air started to leak.
Tae: "Oh, No!  What happened?  I'm completely soaked!"
Mom: (laughing) "Oh!  This is complete failure!"
Tae: "Mom, stop laughing and give me a towel now!"
Mom: "I'm sorry.  I am sorry.  But it's funny."

We made a quick remodeling to fix the problem.
Mom: "I hope it will work this time."
Toshi: "I am going to start. OK?"
Toshi started pumping and then the rocket started lifted up.
Mom: "Oh, Yes! Flying!"
Toshi: "What happened?  I couldn't see.  How far did it fly?"
Dad: "It went quite far.  Maybe 10 meter."
Mom: "Great!  It was a great success! "
Toshi: "It's pity I couldn't see my rocket flying."

On the way back home, we saw a family carrying a beautiful commercially made rocket.
Toshi: "Actually I really wanted that fancy one."


Materials


Materials


How to make a water rocket

How to make

     30 min if all the materials are already collected

  1. Thread a plastic tube through the hole of the rubber cushion.

  2. Cover the narrow end of the valve with the rubber tube.

  3. Push the valve into the other end of the plastic tube.
    Fasten the valve with thread.

  4. Put a valve stop screw.
    (See the figure.)
    You can not pump air in yet, since the screw is not really fixed enough.
    The screw should be fastened tightly with thread.

  5. Make a launching pad from a paper cup.


Launching pad

How to play with a water rocket

     Required time: 1 hour

  1. Better to do on a wide open area. If water is not available there, you bring your own water.

  2. Put water into the bottle (about one third of the bottle volume).

  3. Push the rubber cushion deep into the plastic bottle.

  4. If the rubber cushion is loose, wrap the cap with a piece of gauze and push it in.

  5. Put the plastic tube through the window of the launching pad.

  6. You place your water rocket on the launching pad.

  7. Pump air slowly by the air pump.

  8. If you see bubbles coming out from water, that means you successfully pumping air in.