3rd Grade Science Lab Solids, Liquids, & Gases Film Canister Rockets

Vocabulary to Review Volume: how much space something takes up Mass: the amount of matter something contains; doesn’t change Shape: the form an item takes Size: the measurement of an item Definite: does not change Indefinite: can change shape If the students cannot understand these terms it will be very difficult for them to truly understand the definitions of the states of matter.

States of Matter Solid Gas Liquid Takes up Space Has Mass Definite Size Definte Shape Gas Takes up Space Has Mass NO Definite Shape NO Definite Volume Liquid Takes up Space Has Mass NO Definite Shape Definite Volume Give a simple demonstration of each type of matter… Let the students name as many examples of each type as possible….Clarify any misconceptions. “It’s very difficult to demonstrate that a gas takes up space….let’s do an experiment that proves this concept.”

Film Canister Rockets Materials Safety Goggles 1 Plastic Film Canister 1 Alka-Seltzer Tablet Water Towel Stop Watch Pencil Data Table Partner Point Out….the type of matter each item is. Canister is a… Water is a… Alka-Seltzer Tablet is a…

Amount of Alka-Seltzer Tablet Experiment Data Table Amount of Water Amount of Alka-Seltzer Tablet Number of Seconds for Launch ½ Canister ½ Tablet ¾ Canister Discuss the control (amount of tablet) and the variable (water and space inside canister) in the experiment. Have the students make a prediction about which one they think will launch the quickest.

Film Canister Rockets Procedure: 1st Test Keep your Safety Goggles on the Whole Time!! Break the Alka-Seltzer tablet in half. Fill the canister with water to the ½ line. One partner drops half of the AS tablet into the canister and snaps the lid in place as quickly as possible. The other partner starts the stop watch as soon as the lids snaps. Stop the stop watch as soon as the lids flies!! Record the number of seconds in your data table. Prior to beginning the procedures… You may need to review how to measure the fractions on the canister. You may also need to review how to use the stop watch. ** You also want to have them practice putting the top on the canister. Its hard to press on completely and if you don’t your experiment will not work!! It will take about 15-20 seconds for the first test. About 10 seconds for the second test. If one does not launch it is probably because the lid was not tight and the gas leaked out.

Film Canister Rockets Procedure: 2nd Test Keep your Safety Goggles on the Whole Time!! Dump the dirty water out of the film canister. Reset your stop watch. Use the other half of the Alka-Seltzer tablet Fill the canister with water to the ¾ line. One partner drops half of the AS tablet into the canister and snaps the lid in place as quickly as possible. The other partner starts the stop watch as soon as the lids snaps. Stop the stop watch as soon as the lids flies!! Record the number of seconds in your data table.

A Few Questions… Which variable (amount of water) gave the rocket it’s quickest launch? What causes the lid to fly off? Why did some of the rockets not launch? What other variables could we try? ¾ canister should give the quickest launch because there is less empty space inside the canister for the gas to expand. Poorly attached lids would allow the gas to leak out and therefore the pressure would not build up. Try doing the experiment with ice water or hot water. The students may have other ideas.

What Makes this Happen? When you add the Alka-Seltzer tablet to the water it starts to dissolve. This physical change creates a gas called carbon dioxide. As the gas is created it expands inside the canister. The limited space inside the canister and the creation of the gas creates pressure inside the canister. When there is no more space inside the canister it causes the lid to fly off!

Steve Spangler & Ellen Fast forward the video to the 2:00 minute mark and watch Steve Spangler and Ellen create film canister rockets!!! The video is about 5 minutes but well worth it!!! The kids will LOVE it!!! The first 2 minutes is about matter also…so you can watch it if you want!