Introduction: How to Make a Match Rocket

I show how to make a simple match rocket. It is made from common materials and only takes a few minutes of preparation. This is an easy and fun project when you are bored. A match rocket is an extremely simple rocket to construct and launch. It demonstrates many principles of rocketry, basic jet propulsion and Newton’s Law of Motion. The combustion of the matches produces hot gases and smoke to propel the rocket forward. They produce a lot of smoke so I would suggest igniting them outside. If the rocket ignites but doesn't take off, try making the exhaust hole a little bigger and if it falls really fast use less foil when making it. I also show how to make a basic launcher from a paperclip. You can choose a different method of launching it if you find it works better. There are also many different designs that can be made, I found that this design worked best for the matches I was using but with some experimentation you may find a better design that works for you. Of course the match rocket has been done many times before but I thought I would put some new touches on a classic project.

Step 1: Materials

-Matches

-Aluminum foil

-Small tube or cylindrical object

-Scissors

-Pliers

-Tape

-Paper clip

-Side cutters

Step 2: Watch the Video

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