If we knew what we were doing,
it wouldn’t be called research.
- Albert Einstein

Here are a few science experiments you can try at home...

Super Short Straw Rocket

Procedure

1. Cut a Large Soda Straw in half. Take small strips of tape and tape over ONE end of the straw

2. Close to the other end of the straw you can cut out fins or make fins out of strips of tape

3. Take a SMALL straw and cut it in half

4. Split the bottom of the straw on two sides (two 1/4 inch slits up the straw works best)

5. Cut the very tip of the Ketchup Bottle off to allow more air to flow

6. Pull the smaller straw on top of the cone and tape it to the cone and the bottle to where it is secure and standing straight up.

7. Slide your Larger straw rocket over the top of the smaller straw on the bottle.

8. Give the bottle a quick squeeze or slam one hand into the side of it.

9. The Straw Rocket will launch into the air!

Mouse Trap Catapult

Note: Mousetraps can be a little dangerous! If one snaps back on your hand it could hurt your finger.This project requires adult supervision.

Procedure

1. Take the staple out of the straight setting arm.

2. Set the trap by pulling the snapper arm back and pulling the setting arm over the snapper and placing the hook just under the bait platform.

3. While holding the snapper arm down, tape the spoon to one side of the snapper hoop or the other.

4. DO NOT tape the spoon in the middle, it should be on one side or the other in order to set the trap.

5. The spoon should be secured to the snapper arm in such a way that it hold water when the trap is set.

6. Set the trap and gently place a marshmallow in the spoon.

7. Using a pencil or straw, tap the bait platform to engage the snapper arm and spoon.

What’s Happening?

Newton’s first law of motion states that objects in motion tend to remain in motion, unless acted on by an outside force. When you released the catapult, both the lever arm and the “ammunition” moved forward with energy from the spring. When the lever arm hit the other side of the trap, it came to a sudden stop. The marshmallow, however, remained in motion until it hit something else or until the force of gravity overcame its motion and brought it to the ground. 

Variables: What if you changed the following...

The length of the spoon (shorter or longer)

The size of the spoon, bowl, or tape around the spoon

The angle of the mousetrap

Free trap or secured to the surface

Film Canister Rocket

Procedure

1. Remove the lid from the film canister and put a about a half inch of water into the canister.

2. Break the antacid tablet into quarters, you only need 1/4 of the tablet.

3. GET READY TO DO THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE: Drop the tablet piece into the canister and snap the cap onto the canister (make sure that it snaps on tightly.)

4. Put the canister UPSIDE DOWN into the cup.

5. STAND BACK! DO NOT look into the cup or put anything over it

6. About 10 seconds later, you will hear a POP! and the film canister will launch into the air!

7. If it does not launch, wait 20-30 seconds before removing the canister from the cup. It either is leaking or the pressure is still in the canister. With the canister away from you, slowly push the lid up and off of the canister. It may pop, so do not be surprised, (or scream like a little girl! Unless of course, you are a little girl, then it is quite alright).

Explanation

When the tablet dissolves in water, a chemical change takes place and a gas is formed. Most seltzer tablets contain a base called sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and dehydrated citric acid. When the tablet is place in contact with the water, the citric acid combines with the baking soda.  Acids and bases undergo a chemical reaction when they mix, producing a gas and salt. This gas is carbon dioxide.  As the carbon dioxide is being released, it creates pressure inside the film canister. The more gas that is made, the more pressure builds up until the cap it blasted down and the rocket is blasted up. In the closed container, the newly created gas has no place to go since the closed container is already full of air.  The carbon dioxide rushes out, making a sound. This same kind of thrust is how a big rocket works in outer space or here on earth.

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