Q&A for How to Make a Powerful Air Pressure Rocket

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Question

Why do I need to fill it with water? Can't I just use air?

Community Answer

Water is heavier than air. This makes water a denser and heavier exhaust, thus allowing the rocket to go higher.

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Question

How come I have to pump so fast?

Community Answer

The gap isn't 100% airtight, so air is leaking out of it. So you need to pump it quickly so that the pressure can build up.

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Question

Why do you need a cork?

Community Answer

To hold the water in bottle as well as to be able to inject the bike pump to get air into the bottle, creating pressure for the launch.

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Question

Is a rocket better with 3 or 4 fins?

Community Answer

Three because four will add weight causing the rocket not to go as high.

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Question

Can I make the rocket in the article for a school project?

Community Answer

It depends on what type of school project. If it is for an air-pressurized bottle rocket, then yes.

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Question

Can I use more dense things than water?

Community Answer

Using a denser material decreases range. The water is just there as a propellant.

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Question

Can the bottle be thinner than the one on the pictures?

Community Answer

Yes, it can, but it shouldn't be too much thinner.

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Question

Can I launch on an angle, so we can measure distance traveled?

Community Answer

Theoretically, yes. Launch sideways and time how long it takes for it to reach a certain point.

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Question

Is soapy water better than water for propellant when making an air pressure rocket?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. Soapy water looks much more interesting, though, and it's always fun to try new things out. Give it a shot at home and see what happens.

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Question

Does the hole in the cork need to go all the way through? And does the needle need to go all the way through?

Community Answer

Yes, because the air needs to go into the bottle to build up the pressure for creating the thrust as the water comes out.

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Question

Does more water make the rocket heavier? Will it go higher or not?

Community Answer

It will go higher; the more fuel that's added, the higher it goes. For a higher launch, keep it at 90°; for a distant launch, keep it at 45°.

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Question

Should I add a tip to the top of the rocket to make it go higher?

Community Answer

You could, but be careful not to bend the tip or else it could send your rocket in a wonky direction.

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Question

Why do I need a pump?

Community Answer

To build up the air pressure required for launch.

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Question

Can I use any angle when making a powerful air pressure rocket?

Community Answer

Yes, but the optimal angle for height is 90° and the optimal angle for distance is 45°.

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Question

Will a Gatorade bottle work for making this kind of air pressure rocket?

Community Answer

Because of how small it is, it might even go farther! The small size makes it so the pressure increases faster, so it builds up more force. It should shoot off faster, and go for a longer distance.

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Question

Can I use diet Coke instead of water with Mentos?

Community Answer

No, the reaction won't be the same. Stick to what it says, or it won't work the same way.

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Question

Do I need fins on my rocket?

Community Answer

No, you don't. The bottle will still fly without fins, but may not fly as straight. The fins are not necessary. However, the fins stabilize the rocket and help it launch higher without shooting off to one side, so they are a good addition to make.

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Question

Can I use Diet Coke to make this? It is less dense than water.

Community Answer

It could work but you would have to empty most of it and it would not go as high since it is not as dense.

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Question

Can I use a ball pump valve to do this?

Community Answer

Technically yes, but you would have to pump a lot. Or, you could use an electric pump which can be twenty dollars to even forty dollars.

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Question

How do I make it go as high as storm clouds?

Community Answer

You can't the way this method works. You would need a much stronger propellant, stronger body frame, etc. Even the most powerful model rockets can barely reach the lowest storm clouds.

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Question

What can I use instead of a cork?

Community Answer

You can only use a cork. This is because it keeps water from coming out, but at the same time lets air in. Nothing else can do that.

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Question

Can I use something other than a bike pump when making an air pressure rocket?

Community Answer

You can use most pumps, as long as the pressure can build up. Without pressure, it will not blow.

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Question

Can we fill the whole bottle with water?

ADEN HO

Community Answer

No, as there will be no space for the compressed air to build-up and launch your rocket. Try with varying water levels and see what works best.

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Question

What if I can't use cork?

ADEN HO

Community Answer

Any such rubber stopper will do. You can find these in the science equipment store.

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