Water rockets use water and pressurized gas as propellants, often made with plastic soda bottles. They can be modified for science projects and can travel far, but bystanders should stay clear of launch pads due to potential danger.
Water rockets are rocket designs that use water and a pressurized gas as a propellant. They are sometimes called bottle rockets, which can be confusing, since a bottle rocket is a type of firework. Many people build water rockets recreationally, and they are sometimes used as educational tools as well. For older students, water rockets can make for interesting science projects, especially if students are encouraged to make modifications to their rockets to alter their trajectory, maximum height, and length of time in the air.
One of the cheapest and most effective bodies for a water rocket is an old-fashioned plastic soda bottle, hence the alternative name “rocket in a bottle.” A two-liter (half-gallon) soda bottle is ideal for this purpose, as it’s large enough to potentially propel you quite a distance. The soda bottle is partially filled with water, then a pressurized gas is added. The simplest pressurized gas is simply air, which can be pumped into the bottle with a bicycle pump or air compressor to build up the pressure. More serious water rocket enthusiasts can use other gases for this purpose.
Once primed, the water rocket is turned over, so that the water presses against the lid, and the lid is removed. The pressurized air pushes the water out, propelling the rocket into the air. Often, water rockets are modified with winglets to stabilize their flight and increase flight time, and parachutes to reduce landing impact.
The basic design of a water rocket can easily be modified to create multi-stage water rockets, or very large water rockets that are capable of holding more pressurized air and water, and thus travel farther. In most cases, a rocket launcher is built so that the person launching the water rocket is not accidentally injured. A common rock thrower is simply a piece of pipe driven into the ground with a string threaded through it, so that the string can be used to pull the rocket’s seal off while the tube holds the rocket facing upright.
Because of the potential danger involved, bystanders should stay well clear of the launch pad. Water rockets cannot be aimed precisely, and can go off course at the start of its trajectory, potentially hitting someone. A water rocket can move with amazing speed and a collision could be very painful. Water rockets should also not be operated by unsupervised children.
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