Bottle Rockets! 8th grade final project

Your mission: Design, construct and launch a rocket made from empty two liter plastic soda bottles which will remain aloft for a maximum period of time. Your rocket may not weigh more than 200g THE CHALLENGE: Carry a raw egg safely to the ground

Don't use... hot/boiling water Knives/Razors Chemical solvents Preparing the bottle A list of DON'Ts Scratch, cut or puncture the pressure chamber! (the bottle that will be launched) Don't use... hot/boiling water Knives/Razors Chemical solvents Hot glue or super glue Even the smallest of scratches or cuts in the pressure chamber can result in an explosion. Besides the risk of physical injury

Parts of a Bottle Rocket Pressure chamber (soda bottle) Nose cone Fins Parachute/recovery system

Pressure Chamber This is the MOST important part of your rocket. It should be a complete, unpunctured, not cracked 2 liter bottle! This is the part of the rocket that will be pumped full of air. It needs to be able to handle about 30psi of air pressure

Nose Cones All rockets need a nose cone Nose cones are used to reduce drag and protect the payload (cargo). Here are some examples of nose cones. You may create your own or use one of these. Remember nothing sharp!!

"The Flounder". It is the easiest to make but lacks flight stability "The Flounder". It is the easiest to make but lacks flight stability. The cone is made from poster board or tag board. You can make the cone by simply cutting a large circle out of the poster board (about a 6 inch radius). Attach to the bottle with tape or similar adhesive.

The "Bertha" nose cones are made by cutting the bottom off a spare bottle and attaching the top portion onto the pressure chamber. One strip of tape should be enough to hold the cone on. (Note: Never cut the pressure chamber)

The "Space Needle" style of nose cone can be made from a spare bottle, empty paper towel roll, and a tennis ball or racket ball. This type of nose cone adds a great deal of inertial mass to the rocket and makes it really stable. Plastic egg halves will also fit nicely onto the "Space Needle" assembly.

Fins Fins are the guidance system for your rocket. Without them a rocket would tumble end over end The minimum number of fins on a rocket is one Fins may be made out of any approved material. (remember no metal)

(Thank you So. Cal Bottle Rocket Association) F.Y.I. Fins tend to be the single greatest downfall of many young rocket builders. With the incredible speeds and frightful acceleration generated at launch, many fins get ripped off the rocket body within a fraction of a second (Thank you So. Cal Bottle Rocket Association)

The parachute! This is the recovery system for your rocket. This is what should keep your egg from cracking Here are some suggested materials: Tall kitchen garbage bag grocery plastic bags Cellophane Kite string or Yarn

Making your rocket unique Remember to name your rocket and decorate it so that we can tell it is YOUR rocket

Things you MUST have: Two 2 Liter Bottles Fins Nose Cone Water Parachute

Tips Lengthening the rocket adds stability Experiment with different fin shapes Try different body shapes Try to make body smooth (no kinks with tape). Do not use hot glue gun to fasten parts of your rocket together. Use small pieces of tape (incase you mess up you can easily remove it). Do not leave two liter bottles in hot car.

Grading To get an “A” on this project: To get bonus points: You must have a successful launch Rocket must go at least as high as you are tall (some of you have an advantage here) Follow all guidelines Be ready to launch on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 To get bonus points: Have the longest flight time (5 points) Time begins when your bottle leaves the launch pad and ends when the last part of your rocket hits the ground Have your egg not break (5 points)