Q&A for How to Make a Baking Soda and Vinegar Rocket

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Question

Can I use a lid with a hole in it?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

No, because this would allow the carbon dioxide to escape the bottle. As a result, pressure won't properly build up inside of the bottle and your rocket will not launch.

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Question

This sounds like a great idea for my project. Will it work?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

Yes! Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate (a base). When mixed with vinegar, which contains acetic acid, water and carbon dioxide will form. Because the cork has the bottle closed, the carbon dioxide will build up inside of the bottle. Once the pressure of the carbon dioxide builds and builds, eventually the cork or will fly off the bottle, allowing your "rocket" to fly.

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Question

Does it matter what bottle you use?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

A glass bottle may be too heavy to fly into the air. If you use a bigger soda bottle (like a 2-liter instead of a 20-oz bottle), you will have to adjust the amount of baking soda and vinegar you add for your rocket to actually fly.

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Question

Approximately how high will a rocket go if I point it straight up?

Community Answer

It won't go more than a few feet, at highest maybe 5' if the vinegar baking soda ratio is correct and strong. However, launching it at an angle of at least 30 degrees may make it go 6 - 8'.

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Question

What can be used instead of vinegar?

Community Answer

If you can get a lot of lemon juice, that will work too. But it may not be as strong as vinegar.

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Question

How fast will the rocket go?

Community Answer

It depends on the amount or ratio of the baking soda and vinegar used.

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Question

Will it be good for a sixth grade science fair project?

Community Answer

Yes. Just make sure you go outside to perform the experiment.

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Question

Will cardboard work for a base?

Community Answer

No, because you it will get wet and it won't be usable after that.

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Question

Why do you need to put a hole in the balloon?

Community Answer

So the vinegar can escape from the rocket to push it upward; otherwise, your rocket will do nothing, leak or explode.

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Question

How many times can the rocket be used?

Community Answer

The rocket can be used indefinitely, all it needs between each flight is more fuel.

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Question

Does it matter what kind of baking soda is used?

Community Answer

It shouldn't matter what type of baking soda you use. The only difference will be that a baking soda with finer grains will react with the vinegar more quickly than one with larger grains.

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Question

Can I substitute baking soda for bicarbonate of soda?

Community Answer

Yes. These are two different names for the same thing.

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Question

Is it best for my science project?

Community Answer

It matters what grade you are in and what science is the class on this fits physics

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Question

How far do I have to stay away from the rocket?

Sacha Wong

Community Answer

About two meters away so that you are safe and you do not get splashed on with vinegar.

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Question

Why does a vinegar and baking soda mixture explode?

Community Answer

Baking soda and vinegar react with each other because of an acid-base reaction. Baking soda is a bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and vinegar is an acetic acid (HCH3COO). One of the products of this reaction is carbon dioxide.

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Question

What kind of vinegar do I use for the baking soda and vinegar rocket?

Community Answer

The article states any kind will work, but white vinegar will make the least mess.

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Question

Can I do a plus sized model using an eight liter water jug?

Community Answer

As long as it isn't made of glass, it should work. A glass jug will probably explode.

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Question

Does less baking soda make the rocket go higher?

Community Answer

No. The baking soda is what reacts with the vinegar to release gases which propel the rocket. Using less baking soda means less gas and, therefore, less thrust. To go higher, use a decent amount of baking soda that is in correct ratio to the vinegar.

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Question

Can I use paper for a tube?

Community Answer

No. The paper would get soggy and fall apart after the rocket launches.

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Question

Which type of vinegar will work the best?

Community Answer

It doesn't matter, though white vinegar tends to react quickest.

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Question

Can I use a material other than wood for the base?

Community Answer

Yes, it just has to be heavy enough to weigh everything down. Wood is a good base because it can be easily cut down to different sizes based on how big your rocket is, but other materials will work as well.

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Question

Can I use tape with a small hole instead of a balloon?

Community Answer

No, because a balloon is stretchy and tape isn't. It needs to be stretchy, so it can fit around the bottle.

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Question

What is the velocity of the rocket?

Community Answer

It would depend since both magnitude and direction would be needed to define it.

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Question

Can I use Velcro for putting the launcher on the base?

Community Answer

Yes, you just stick it down as well, easy as pie!

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Question

Will it fire off once I place it on the stand, or do I need to shake it?

Community Answer

Shaking it speeds up the time it takes to launch. If you're in a rush, shake for a few seconds, but don't hold on for too long!

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Question

Can I substitute baking soda with baking powder?

Community Answer

Yes, you will get the same reaction if you do this.

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Question

What type of balloon should I use?

Community Answer

Any type of small balloon will usually work. If you have a larger bottle mouth, then you need a larger balloon.

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Question

Do I need to make fins for my rocket?

Community Answer

No, but it may make it more accurate and aerodynamic.

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Would schools allow this for a science demonstration?

Community Answer

Yes. Most schools should allow it, as it is a very common presentation.

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Question

How wide does the PVC pipe need to be in inches?

Community Answer

It depends on how big your bottle is, but it should be about 2 inches wider than your bottle so that it has room to leave the tube.

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