Chemical Propulsion: Unleashing Flight With Vinegar and Baking Soda

A Vinegar and Baking Soda Rocket: Unlocking Flight Through Chemistry

In the world of science and innovation, we're exploring how physics and chemistry come together. Imagine using everyday kitchen items to challenge gravity, sending a familiar mix into the sky, sparking curiosity. This is chemical propulsion, where vinegar and baking soda combine, defying expectations and showing us the basics of flight. As we dig into this fascinating vinegar and baking soda experiment, we uncover a simple yet remarkable way to make things fly. Presenting our vinegar and baking soda rocket—a clear example of how science helps us take to the skies.

This was designed using Fusion360. I attend Excel Online High School.

Supplies

Important Information:

Before we dive into the supplies, let's understand the basic concept of this experiment. The goal is to create pressure inside a container, which is then released to launch a stopper into the air. The key is to have a container with a stopper that fits tightly, creating a seal. While the specific container and stopper you use may vary, the snug fit is crucial to building pressure effectively.

Now, let's explore how this works. When we mix vinegar (an acid) with baking soda (a base), a chemical reaction occurs, producing carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped inside the container, building pressure because it has limited space to expand. The pressure increases until it's strong enough to push the stopper out, propelling it into the air.

Now, let's talk about the supplies you'll need for this exciting experiment!

Supplies:

1: Container with a Snug-Fitting Stopper:

• Choose a suitable container with a tight-fitting lid or stopper. It could be a plastic film canister, a small plastic bottle, or any other container that seals well when the stopper is inserted.

2: Vinegar:

• Regular household vinegar, which acts as the acidic component in the reaction.

3: Baking Soda:

• Commonly found in most kitchens, baking soda serves as the basic component in the chemical reaction.

4: Safety Goggles:

• To protect your eyes during the experiment, safety goggles are essential.

5: Measuring Spoons or Scoops:

• For precise measurement of baking soda.

6: Funnel:

• To easily and accurately transfer the baking soda into the container.

7: Safety Area:

• Perform the experiment in an open outdoor space or a well-ventilated area to ensure safety.

Note:

In my experiment, I didn't have the right container, so I used an old wine cork. I measured its size and made a simple 3D-printed holder that would fit the cork nicely. I designed this in Fusion360, but the beauty of this project is it's simplicity. It's all about finding a good fit for the cork to make the experiment work. If you have access I would recommend 3d printing the container as it can be easily modified and improved

I have included the .stl file for the rocket launcher body below:

Step 1: Preparing the Stopper

Prepare Your Stopper:

Before diving into the experiment, it's important to get the stopper ready. Create a small hole at the bottom of the stopper. This hole is where the baking soda will go. Making this hole will help the baking soda easily fall into the container when it's time to launch the rocket. I was easily able to achieve this with the cork by poking it with a screwdriver until I got a hole of suitable size.

Now, let's proceed to the next stages of the experiment, where we'll load the container with the ingredients needed for our exciting chemical reaction and get ready to launch our vinegar and baking soda rocket!

Step 2: Loading the Container

1: Prepare Baking Soda:

• Measure an appropriate amount of baking soda using your measuring spoons or scoops. Start off using small amounts and see how well the rocket performs

2: Insert Baking Soda:

• Using the funnel, carefully insert the measured baking soda into the hole in the stopper. Make sure it goes all the way into the container.

3: Prepare Vinegar:

• Measure the vinegar using your measuring spoons or a pouring container. Start off using small amounts and see how well the rocket performs

4: Pour Vinegar into Container:

• Pour the measured vinegar into the container over the baking soda. Quickly seal the container with the stopper, ensuring a tight fit to create a seal.

Experiment with Measurements (Optional):

Remember, science is about exploration and discovery! Feel free to experiment with the amounts of baking soda and vinegar. It's more fun to observe how different quantities can affect the rocket's launch. Try varying the amounts slightly and observe the changes in the rocket's flight. This way, you can enjoy the process of discovery and uncover the perfect mixture for an exhilarating launch!

Step 3: Launching the Rocket

1: Position for Launch:

• Place the container on a flat surface in your safety area, with the stopper end facing down.

2: Move to a Safe Distance:

• Move to a safe distance, keeping your eyes protected with the safety goggles.

3: Observe and Launch:

• As the vinegar reacts with the baking soda, building pressure inside the container, observe as the chemical reaction unfolds. After a brief delay, the stopper will launch into the air.

4: Analyze and Learn:

• Pay close attention to the flight of the stopper. Note its height, trajectory, and any other observations. This can provide valuable insights into the physics of chemical propulsion and the basics of flight.

Step 4: Experiment Iterations and Adjustments

1: Record Results:

• Record the results of your experiment, including observations about the flight and any variables you adjusted.

2: Experiment with Variables:

• Experiment with different amounts of vinegar and baking soda to observe how it affects the rocket's flight. You can also try using containers of different sizes.

3: Explore Other Modifications:

• Experiment with modifying the stopper, hole size, or other aspects to optimize the rocket's performance.
• Perhaps adding fins to the stopper or carving the tip of it into a point to make it more aerodynamic would help.

4: Repeat for Accuracy:

• Repeat the experiment multiple times, making adjustments as needed to ensure consistency and accuracy in your results.

By following these steps and making necessary adjustments based on your experiment's results, you'll gain a deeper understanding of chemical propulsion and the fascinating world of flight through chemistry.