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You can
build a rocket launcher from an old plastic soda bottle.
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2-liter
plastic bottle (only one is required for each launcher, but we strongly
recommend that you make two launchers and have a couple of extra soda
bottles on hand in case one fails) |
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1
meter (about 3 feet) of clear flexible vinyl tubing with 1/2 inch inner
diameter and 5/8 inch outer diameter (the type of tubing doesn’t
matter, as long as you can tape one end to the neck of the soda bottle
and the other end to the PVC pipe) |
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Duct
tape |
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60
cm (about 2 feet) of PVC pipe with 1/2 inch inner diameter |


Remove cap from bottle.

Insert about an inch of flexible tubing into the bottle opening. Tape
it in place with duct tape. Try to make the connection between the
tubing and the bottle airtight.
 
Push the PVC pipe against the other end of the flexible tubing. (Don’t
try to insert the tubing into the PVC pipe.) Tape the tubing and the
PVC pipe together. Again, try to make the connection airtight.
Your finished launcher should
look something like this »»

Launching Rockets
For
tips on how to use this trick with a class or group, go to the Teacher/Leader
version |