| You do not need to be a scientist to be able to | | | | each other. The masking tape will be used for |
| make a bottle rocket, but you need to approach it | | | | straightening out the fins. |
| like one, in the sense that you need to have the right | | | | Take the compass and make a 4" circle. Use the |
| tools and materials in place. | | | | scissor to slice a line from the outer circle to the |
| First gather all the necessary material you will need to | | | | center. Fold it into a funnel shape. Glue it, and add |
| construct a bottle rocket. These include a bottle of | | | | some tape. Put it at the top of your bottle, and you |
| course. Any will do, but a 1 liter size soda bottle is | | | | have its nose setup. Leave the glue overnight and |
| preferable. | | | | then you can remove the tape. |
| You will also need a bottle of rubber cement, paint | | | | Making the launching pad for the bottle rocket is |
| thinner (1 can), a roll of masking tape, a hose clamp | | | | easy. Take the 2x4 wood and cut it in half. Lay them |
| (1 inch) and a manila folder. | | | | so that each is approximately 18 inches separate |
| You should also have the following: a couple of 2in | | | | from each other, Get the 18 inch wood and put it on |
| nails, two pieces of wood one measuring 2x4x12, and | | | | the 2x4 so that both sides are resting on it. Use the |
| another 6x1/2x18; four sheets of balsa wood (6x4); | | | | screwdriver to drive a wood screw into the 18in |
| five wood screws, an inch long. | | | | board. Repeat the process on the other side, and the |
| An electric junction box, a 3" thin steel (about 1/8" | | | | platform is complete. |
| diameter); a 12" string, a copper tubing 12" long, and | | | | Next take the junction box and inert a screw so that |
| a test tube stopper. In this project the size has to | | | | the junction box is connected to the platform. Drill a |
| be 4 with an opening in the middle. | | | | hole into the box so that the test tube stopper can |
| As for the tools, prepare a compass, drill scissors, | | | | fit in. Put the stopper in there. Place the copper |
| sand paper, hammer, marker angle, air compressor, | | | | tubing into the stopper. Connect the air compressor |
| jigsaw, and a screwdriver. The size will vary | | | | with the tubing using the hose clamp. |
| according to the wood screw you selected. | | | | Get the wire and shape it into a horseshoe. Secure |
| To build the bottle rocket, begin by washing and | | | | the string at the center of the horseshoe, and put |
| drying the soda bottle. Use the paint thinner to | | | | inside the electrical box. Drill a hole in each 2x4 wood |
| eliminate all the glue, and take off the labels as well. | | | | piece, and the platform for the bottle rocket is |
| Take the balsa wood, and use the market to | | | | finished. |
| highlight a 5x3 shape (right triangle). Use the jigsaw | | | | Take the launch pad outside, and hammer a couple |
| to cut out the shape, and apply the sand paper to | | | | of nails into the base so it is attached to the ground. |
| smoothen the edges. These will serve as the fins of | | | | Pour 20 ounces of water into the bottle, put a pin in |
| your rocket. | | | | its neck, set the air compressor to 45 psi. Pull the |
| Stick the fins onto the bottle with the rubber | | | | string and watch your bottle rocket fly. |
| cement. Make certain that they are equidistant from | | | | |