Q&A for How to Build a Bottle Rocket

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How do I make a Mentos soda bottle rocket?

Jessie Antonellis-John
Math and Science Instructor
Jessie Antonellis-John is a Math and Science Instructor who teaches at Southwestern Oregon Community College. With over 10 years of experience, she specializes in curriculum development. Jessie earned her PhD in Teaching & Teacher Education from the University of Arizona, her Master of Education from Western Governors University, and her BS in Astrophysics from Mount Holyoke College. She’s also co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles in professional publications.

Jessie Antonellis-John

Math and Science Instructor

Expert Answer

To make a Mentos soda bottle rocket, you'll need a two-liter soda bottle, a roll of Mentos candies, and a piece of paper. First, carefully open the soda bottle and drink or pour out some of the soda to create space. Roll the paper into a tube and fill it with Mentos candies. Quickly drop the Mentos-filled tube into the soda bottle, screw the cap on tightly, turn the bottle upside down, and place it on a flat surface. Once you're ready for the launch, unscrew the cap, and the reaction between the Mentos and soda will create a fizzy eruption, propelling the bottle into the air. Make sure to do this outdoors and wear protective gear.

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Question

Is this safe for school?

Community Answer

Yes. In fact, bottle rockets are a common school science project!

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Question

What kind of bottle do I have to use?

Community Answer

A good type of bottle would just be a regular 1L soda bottle such as a Coke bottle.

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Question

Is there any easier way to make a model of a rocket?

Community Answer

Get an empty bottle and put wings on the side. Add vinegar and baking soda. Put it on the ground upside-down, and it will fly up.

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Question

Will this work with a 2 liter bottle?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Are there any alternatives aside from cork?

Community Answer

Anything dense that will seal it air tight and that you can stick a needle through will work.

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Question

Will this bottle rocket actually fly?

Community Answer

It won't fly like a bird or a plane, but it will shoot up in the sky for about thirty seconds and have a minor crash landing.

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Question

How can I protect an egg while in the bottle, with a capsule to protect the egg (like an astronaut)?

Community Answer

Put a big parachute on top, then put bubble wrap over the egg.

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Question

Is clay good for a nose cone?

Community Answer

If too much clay is applied on the cone, the rocket will fall to the ground. Making your rocket aerodynamic and lightweight should increase the distance. Perhaps a light coating of clay could be applied but using paper or card and perhaps strengthening it with duck tape would work better.

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Question

How high will this fly?

Community Answer

It will blast up to the height of an average building at least.

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Question

Where do I get the cork for the bottle rocket?

Community Answer

You can buy a few from an arts-and-crafts store or just use an old wine cork. If you don't drink wine, ask a local restaurant or bar if they can save a few for you.

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Question

What can I use to cut the bottle?

Community Answer

Use a box cutter or scissors. You can put hot glue on the edges of the cut bottle so it isn't sharp.

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Question

Why should I use that specific fin shape?

Community Answer

Because the rocket will be more aerodynamic.The more aerodynamic the rocket, the more airspeed you get.

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Question

How do I build a bottle rocket on a budget?

Community Answer

A standard bottle rocket is pretty inexpensive. An old bottle, some duct tape, along with some paper or cardboard for the fins and cones, will cost around 5 dollars.

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Question

How big do I make the fins for the rocket?

Community Answer

It depends on how big the rocket is, if the rocket is the size of a 1 liter bottle, then the fins might be about 25 sq.cm.

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Question

Do I need a ballast to build a bottle rocket?

Community Answer

No, just using something heavy like fishing weights for example, will work just as well.

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Question

What is the best liquid for a bottle rocket?

Community Answer

Water, because the liquid is only used for the force to launch it. Water is lighter than most liquids, which makes it the best option for the bottle rocket.

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Question

About how long does it actually take to make one of these?

Community Answer

The process of making the rocket is actually really easy. I am a high school student and just made it for my physics project. If you have all the materials, it will take about 1 hour to make, 2 hours if you want to put more effort into it to make it look nice and have a higher accuracy.

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Question

How much water do I need to use?

Community Answer

Half of the bottle should be filled. For example, 2 liter bottles should have 1 liter of water.

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Question

Is the rocket reusable?

Community Answer

Yes, the rocket is reusable. Just pop the cork back inside the bottle to be able to relaunch.

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Question

How can we make the distance longer with the bottle rocket?

Community Answer

Launch your rocket at elevation of 45 degrees, this will cover maximum (horizontal) distance better than any other angle.

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How do I stick the ballast into the cut bottle for the rocket?

Community Answer

You can put it at the bottom of the cut bottle and use duct tape to hold it in place.

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Question

How do I make my bottle rocket fly like a plane?

Community Answer

You don't. It's a rocket, not a plane.

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Question

What are the advantages and the disadvantages for these methods?

Community Answer

Advantages are that it has a aerodynamically stable form and the water pressure builds up enough to fly high, yet you have to refill the water each time and based on experience, the cork may clog up sometimes.

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Why are potatoes round?

Undertale4141

Top Answerer

Potatoes are actually oblong and or slightly flattened ellipsoids. They might take on that shape because of the dirt all around them, compressing them into ellipsoids. Another theory relates to their DNA and genetics. We could ponder about this all day, or leave it to be one of the great mysteries of the universe.

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Question

Is a smaller angle for a fin better than a larger angle?

Community Answer

A smaller fin makes your rocket lighter and less likely to get the best results. Using a larger fin gives your rocket more stability, making it much more aerodynamic.

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Question

What safety precautions should I take when building a rocket?

Community Answer

Always wear safety goggles and you can wear safety gloves. When launching the rocket, make sure that you are in an open area and if you are a child you must ask a trustworthy adult to help you. Check that nobody is in the rocket's path because you do not want them to become injured due to your irresponsibility. As soon as you have launched the rocket, stand back at a safe distance.

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Question

Won't the water go back into the tube of the air pump?

Community Answer

No, it won't. The air pressure is stronger than the force of the water trying to get back in.

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Question

Will a 2 liter coke bottle work?

Community Answer

Yes, it should work well for the bottle rocket.

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Question

How can I make it go higher?

Community Answer

Make the bottle lighter by using less clay and experimenting with how much water you use.

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