For this experiment we made a small rocket. The materials we used to make it were very simple and easy to work with. The science that was the main focus was chemical reactions and their equations. When you think of chemical reactions the first thing that comes to mind is the change of something. A chemical reaction is the process of which a substance changes one form to another. For example, a liquid into a gas. For this specific experiment it involves lots of energy. Since we made rockets, there is two different reactions involved, endothermic and exothermic. An Endothermic reaction is the process where energy is absorbed. Exothermic is the exact opposite, it's where energy is released. The equation is another way to portray the reaction in a mathematical way. You can take two chemicals and add them up to create a reaction in which they share a connection or relationship.
What was the experiment? What happened?
The materials that we used were:
- Wooden Rod
- Colored paper
- Tape
- Sand Paper
- Fuse
- Thin skewer
- Aluminum Foil
- Sugar
- Potassium Nitrate
- Drill Bit
The first step was to sand down the wooden rod so that we could have a smooth rounded tip. We used thin colored paper to then wrap around the rod to create a small cylinder that could hold the mixture. We taped that up so it could be nice and tight so nothing falls apart. The foil was to close off one end. The mixture that we used was sugar and potassium nitrate, those two created a powder. After we were done with that, we pressed down all the powder so that it could be tight so we could get a better thrust when it set off. Another piece of foil was added to the top to seal it. We then attached the small paper cylinder to a skewer and then drilled a fuse into the bottom. When we went to light them, only some worked. I think it was because they were not secured properly. But the ones that did work released lots of energy and flew up pretty high.
What was the experiment? What happened?
The materials that we used were:
- Wooden Rod
- Colored paper
- Tape
- Sand Paper
- Fuse
- Thin skewer
- Aluminum Foil
- Sugar
- Potassium Nitrate
- Drill Bit
The first step was to sand down the wooden rod so that we could have a smooth rounded tip. We used thin colored paper to then wrap around the rod to create a small cylinder that could hold the mixture. We taped that up so it could be nice and tight so nothing falls apart. The foil was to close off one end. The mixture that we used was sugar and potassium nitrate, those two created a powder. After we were done with that, we pressed down all the powder so that it could be tight so we could get a better thrust when it set off. Another piece of foil was added to the top to seal it. We then attached the small paper cylinder to a skewer and then drilled a fuse into the bottom. When we went to light them, only some worked. I think it was because they were not secured properly. But the ones that did work released lots of energy and flew up pretty high.
I worked with Olivia for this class lab. Since we were at the same table we made only one rocket. I always enjoy working with her for experiments. I think we balance each other out. If one doesn't know how to do something the other does. I think maybe next time we could make our own rockets, so that we can follow along with each other and both be working constantly.
If I could do this again I would probably take my time. We did have all period to do work on it but without a time limit I think we could get better results. All semester I've been working with the same people, I'd like to branch out to others the next section. I'm so comfortable and used to collaborating with the same people, which happen to be my friends but I definitely want to mix it up a bit. I don't see any way I could continue this experiment, although I could make it better.
What I took away from this was try not to have high expectations when experimenting something for the first time. Science is about trying new things and not always does it come out how you want the first time. Also being open to doing an experiment more than once, to compare results to see what worked and what didn't.
If I could do this again I would probably take my time. We did have all period to do work on it but without a time limit I think we could get better results. All semester I've been working with the same people, I'd like to branch out to others the next section. I'm so comfortable and used to collaborating with the same people, which happen to be my friends but I definitely want to mix it up a bit. I don't see any way I could continue this experiment, although I could make it better.
What I took away from this was try not to have high expectations when experimenting something for the first time. Science is about trying new things and not always does it come out how you want the first time. Also being open to doing an experiment more than once, to compare results to see what worked and what didn't.