alkarockets.docVIP

Alka Rockets Objective: To introduce the concept of pressure and work. Introduction: Force is what causes mass to accelerate or become deformed. Examples of forces include pushing, pulling, gravity and friction. When force is applied to a surface area, it creates pressure. Pressure is what creates diamonds and dry ice. People can harness pressure to do work. In this activity, the students will harness pressure to launch a rocket. Vocabulary: Velocity, Force, Pressure, Work, Newton’s Third Law of Motion- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction Empty, film canister with lid that snaps inside (you can find these in any local film store) Markers, crayons, or?colored pencils?(and any other materials they can use to decorate their rockets. Dry Ice Construction paper Tape? Scissors? Alka Seltzer tablets?(or any antacid tablet) Re-sealable bags Pipettes Water (optional Vinegar, Lime Juice, and/or other liquids) Bowls or small bins (to make clean up a bit easier) Safety: Students need to move away from the rocket once they set it down. Some rockets take more time to launch so students may have to wait before they see a reaction. No one should approach a launching rocket unless they are sure from a distance that it leaked, etc. Demonstration: Put some dry ice into a re-sealable bag and seal it tight. Place a textbook or anything flat and heavy onto the bag. Observe as the bag inflates. This demonstration gives an example of how pressure exerts force. Show them a demo rocket launch afterwards. Prelab: Answer Pre-lab Questions after demonstrations. Procedure: 1. Give them construction paper, the canisters, scissors and any other materials they can use to decorate their rockets. Have them cut enough construction paper in order to wrap the canister with the construction paper. They can get as creative as they want. Also, they need to add fins and a cone to the rocket. The fins are simple, but the cone will be harder to make. It would be a good idea to help