Bottle rockets are fun and easy to make. You can even make and launch simple bottle rockets by recycling items you find at home.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Make a One Bottle Rocket with Launcher
Step 1. Roll a piece of paper into a cone
This will be the nose of the cone on the rocket, so you are free to use colored or patterned paper to add designs to the rocket.
Durable colored cardboard is great too
Step 2. Wrap the nose cone with masking tape
This will make the nose of the rocket stronger and water resistant.
- If you want to add color to your rocket, you can use colored tape to wrap around the nose cone.
- You can also paint the plastic bottles if you want to decorate them more. Feel free to add your design or logo on the plastic bottle (or body part) of the rocket.
Step 3. Glue the nose of the rocket to the bottom of the bottle
You can use glue or tape.
Try to stick it straight on the bottle and make sure it is firmly attached
Step 4. Take a thin cardboard and cut 3-4 triangles
Since these will be the fins of your rocket, try to cut them at right angles to make the rocket stand upright.
- Use cardboard, construction paper, or manila cardboard to make the fins. “For Sale” or “For Rent” signs can also be good fin material.
- Place the rocket fin on the bottom of the rocket.
- Bend the “tabs” on the sides of the fins so they can be attached to the rocket body easily. Then, glue or glue to attach it.
- If you line up the bottom of the fins with the bottom of the rocket, your rocket will be able to stand on its own.
Step 5. Add ballast to weight the rocket
The ballast can be any material that has weight for the rocket and ensures the rocket can land after launch.
- Use clay or Play Doh as a ballast as they are soft, malleable, and unlike gravel or marbles, clay won't come out and spill when the rocket is launched.
- Print half a cup of Play Doh or clay onto the jagged bottom of the bottle to form a rounded end on the outside of the bottle.
- Cover it with tape to hold it in place.
Step 6. Fill the bottle with water
Pour 1 liter of water into the bottle.
Step 7. Make a very small hole in a cork
Make sure the hole made is the size of a bicycle pump valve.
Step 8. Insert the cork stopper into the mouth of the bottle
You can also shrink the cork pliers to fit it.
Step 9. Insert the bicycle pump valve into the hole in the cork
Make sure it is firmly attached to the cork.
Step 10. Flip the rocket to the correct position
Grasp the bottle neck and bicycle pump valve, and point them away from your face.
Step 11. Launch your bottle rocket
Make sure you're out in the open, outdoors. The rocket will shoot up fast and high so remove all obstructions and warn everyone around you before launching it. To launch a rocket:
- Hold the rocket by the neck of the bottle and pump air into it. The rocket will launch when the cork can no longer withstand the increasing pressure inside the bottle.
- Take the bottle off. Water will splash everywhere as the bottle slides, so be prepared to get a little wet.
- Do not approach the rocket as you start pumping, even if it looks like nothing will happen during launch, as this could result in an accident.
Method 2 of 2: Create a Two Bottle Rocket with the Launcher
Step 1. Cut off the cap from one of the bottles
Use scissors and a paper cutter. You'll want an even, smooth cut so the bottles can be glued together straight and neatly.
Cutting off the end of the bottle cap will make your rocket more aerodynamic and more powerful. The rounded tip also makes it softer and will prevent any damage when the rocket lands again
Step 2. Keep the other bottles intact
This will be the firing chamber that will store the water and air pressure. It will also be attached to another launcher, or bottle.
Step 3. Add paint to decorate it or any other design on the bottle
Feel free to give your personal touch to both rocket bottles with logos or motifs.
Step 4. Add weight to the cut bottle
You can use Play Doh, like the steps in making a one-bottle rocket, or use cat litter. Cat litter is an inexpensive, heavy material that, when exposed to water, will stick in place.
- To add cat litter, tilt the bottle that has been cut and pour the cat litter to a height of 1.25 cm. Then, add water to completely wet the cat litter. Then add another 6 mm of cat litter and wet again.
- Avoid adding too much cat litter, as this will create a layer of dry cat litter that can fall apart when the rocket is launched. Too much or too much cat litter can also cause the rocket to hit the ground too hard on landing.
- Dry the inside of the bottle and use masking tape to keep the cat's litter inside.
Step 5. Glue the two bottles together
Align so that the cut bottle is under the whole bottle. Press both bottles so that the cut edges wrap around the outside of the intact bottle and secure with tape.
Step 6. Take a thin cardboard and cut 3-4 triangles
Since these will be the fins of your rocket, try to cut at a right angle. This way, the fins will keep the bottle rocket upright and ensure it lands smoothly.
- Place the rocket fin on the bottom of the rocket.
- Bend the “tabs” on the sides of the fins so they can be attached to the rocket body easily. Then, glue or glue to attach it.
Step 7. Make a very small hole in a cork
Make sure the hole made is the size of a bicycle pump valve.
Step 8. Insert the cork stopper into the mouth of the intact bottle
You can also shrink the cork with pliers to load it.
Step 9. Insert the needle-like bicycle pump valve into the hole in the cork
Make sure it is firmly attached to the cork.
Step 10. Flip the rocket to the correct position
Hold on to the bottle neck and bicycle pump valve.
Step 11. Launch your bottle rocket
Make sure you're out in the open, outdoors. The rocket will shoot up fast and high so remove all obstructions and warn everyone around you before launching it. To launch a rocket:
- Pump air into it. The rocket will launch when the cork can no longer withstand the increasing pressure inside the bottle. This usually occurs at a pressure of 80 psi.
- Take the bottle off. Water will splash everywhere as the bottle slides, so be prepared to get a little wet.
- Do not approach the rocket as you start pumping, even if it looks like nothing will happen during launch, as this could result in an accident.
