What do I create if I mix vinegar and baking soda together?

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Making a baking soda and vinegar rocket is a great idea for a science project, or a fun activity to do with a friend or family member at home. Start by assembling the body of the rocket complete with rocket fins. Use PVC pipe to make a sturdy, reusable launcher. Once you are ready for some action, head outside to an open area to launch your rocket.

1
Roll a 7 by 9 in (18 by 23 cm) piece of thin cardboard into a cone. Starting at the bottom right corner of the cardboard, roll the cardboard toward the left bottom corner. Make sure to roll it tightly. Roll it until a cone shape forms. Place duct tape around the end of the cone to secure it.
- Use your hands to adjust the cardboard to get the perfect cone shape.
2
Tape the cone to the bottom of a 20-ounce (591-mL) soda bottle. Place the bottom of the soda bottle in the cone. Tape the edges of the cone to the bottom of the bottle to hold it in place. Use 2 to 3 layers of tape to secure the cone to the bottom of the bottle.
- If the cone is too large for the bottle, then trim the opening of the cone until it is just the right size.
3
Add rocket fins to the bottle. Cut out a 5 by 6 in (13 by 15 cm) piece of cardboard. Fold the cardboard in half. Use scissors to cut a diagonal across the cardboard to make 2 triangles. Then cut the triangles in half to make 4 right triangles. Choose 3 to be the fins. Attach the fins to the bottle by:
- Folding the long edge of each right triangle by ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm).
- Cutting 2 slits, 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart along the creased edge to make 3 tabs.
- Folding the middle tab backward.
- Taping each fins' tabs to the bottle using duct tape.

1
Mark a spot 5 inches (13 cm) from the end of a PVC pipe. Use a permanent marker to do this. The mark will indicate where you need to cut the pipe.
- Make sure the circumference of the pipe is large enough so that the top of the soda bottle can fit inside.
- You can purchase PVC pipe from your local hardware store.
2
Ask an adult to cut the pipe. An adult should complete this step to prevent injuries. Place the pipe on a sturdy work surface. Hold the pipe firmly with 1 hand and place a hacksaw on the mark. Slowly move the saw back and forth to cut the pipe.^[1]
- Have another person hold the other end of the pipe to keep it steady while you cut, or use clamps to hold the pipe in place.
3
Place the opening of the bottle inside the PVC pipe. The cone side of the bottle should be pointed toward the ceiling at this point. Check to see that the opening of the bottle inside the PVC pipe is not touching the ground. The PVC pipe should be propping the bottle up off of the ground.
- If the opening of the bottle is touching the ground, then you will need to cut a larger piece of PVC pipe.

1

Fill half of the bottle with vinegar. Use white distilled vinegar. You may use any type of vinegar, but white vinegar makes less of a mess.^[2]
2
Make a baking soda packet. Place a heaping 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda in the center of a paper towel. Fold and roll the paper towel into a small packet. Make sure the baking soda is securely packed inside. Additionally, the packet should be small enough so it can fit inside the soda bottle.^[3]
- The paper towel acts as a time release. This way, you will have enough time to step away from the rocket before it explodes.
- If the paper towel breaks, exposing the baking soda, then use a new paper towel.
3
Go outside to your backyard or an open area. Bring your rocket and its launcher, the baking soda packet, and a cork with you. Place the PVC launcher in the middle of the area, away from walls and windows.^[4]
- Pick a spot outside where you can make a mess.
4
Place the baking soda packet inside the bottle. Quickly place the cork inside the opening of the bottle. Place the bottle cork-side down inside the launcher. Make sure to do this step in one quick motion.^[5]
- The cone part of the rocket should be facing toward the sky.
5
Step back and watch the rocket fly. To be safe, step at least 5 feet (1.5 m) away from the rocket. It may take 10 to 15 seconds for the rocket to explode.^[6]
- If the rocket does not explode, then you may have secured the cork too tightly.

Add New Question

Question

Can I use a lid with a hole in it?

Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer
Question

This sounds like a great idea for my project. Will it work?

Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

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Yes! Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate (a base). When mixed with vinegar, which contains acetic acid, water and carbon dioxide will form. Because the cork has the bottle closed, the carbon dioxide will build up inside of the bottle. Once the pressure of the carbon dioxide builds and builds, eventually the cork or will fly off the bottle, allowing your "rocket" to fly.
Question

Does it matter what bottle you use?

Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

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A glass bottle may be too heavy to fly into the air. If you use a bigger soda bottle (like a 2-liter instead of a 20-oz bottle), you will have to adjust the amount of baking soda and vinegar you add for your rocket to actually fly.
Question

Approximately how high will a rocket go if I point it straight up?

It won't go more than a few feet, at highest maybe 5' if the vinegar baking soda ratio is correct and strong. However, launching it at an angle of at least 30 degrees may make it go 6 - 8'.
Question

What can be used instead of vinegar?

If you can get a lot of lemon juice, that will work too. But it may not be as strong as vinegar.
Question

How fast will the rocket go?

It depends on the amount or ratio of the baking soda and vinegar used.
Question

Will it be good for a sixth grade science fair project?

Yes. Just make sure you go outside to perform the experiment.
Question

Will cardboard work for a base?

No, because you it will get wet and it won't be usable after that.
Question

Why do you need to put a hole in the balloon?

So the vinegar can escape from the rocket to push it upward; otherwise, your rocket will do nothing, leak or explode.
Question

How many times can the rocket be used?

The rocket can be used indefinitely, all it needs between each flight is more fuel.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

Do not point the rocket toward yourself or others.
Avoid launching the rocket near cars, houses, windows, and other fragile or valuable items.
Wear safety goggle to protect your eyes.

Things You Will Need

Empty 20-ounce (591-mL) soda bottle
Thin cardboard
Duct tape
Scissors
Permanent marker
PVC pipe
Hacksaw
White distilled vinegar
Paper towel
Baking soda
Cork

About This Article

Article Summary X

To make a baking soda and vinegar rocket, you'll need an empty plastic bottle, 3 pencils, duct tape, a cork, a paper towel, baking soda, and vinegar. First, use the duct tape to attach the pencils to the plastic bottle to make a stand for your rocket. Then, place 1 scoop of baking soda in the middle of the paper towel, and roll the paper towel up over it. Twist the ends to keep it secure. Next, pour the vinegar into the bottle until it's halfway full. Take your rocket outside to a wide-open area, drop the pack of baking soda into the bottle, and quickly close the bottle with the cork. Shake the rocket, stand it up on the ground, and stand back! Carbon dioxide gas will build up in the bottle until the pressure pops out the cork and sends your rocket flying. For more tips from our Science co-author, including how to fix your rocket if it doesn't explode, read on!

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