Introduction: How to Make a Successful Water Rocket!
To make a successful water rocket all a person needs to do is follow our simple steps!
By
Ashley Polukord
Babee Medina
Brian Blondet
By
Ashley Polukord
Babee Medina
Brian Blondet
Step 1: Find Materials
To build this rocket you will need to find or buy...
1) Packing Tape
2) A plastic folder
3) 2L plastic soda bottle
4) A tennis ball
5) Thick String
6) A (Thin, Plastic) Painters Tarp
7) Scissors
1) Packing Tape
2) A plastic folder
3) 2L plastic soda bottle
4) A tennis ball
5) Thick String
6) A (Thin, Plastic) Painters Tarp
7) Scissors
Step 2: Prepare the Engine Bottle
Use one plastic bottle for the engine.
1) First cut the plastic label off of the bottle.
2) Wash out the inside of the bottle. Make sure there is no more soda in it.
3) Wrap three pieces of tape around the 'engine' to give it support. Wrap one in the middle, one towards the top, and one piece at the bottom. Make sure the pieces are evenly spaced and supportive.
1) First cut the plastic label off of the bottle.
2) Wash out the inside of the bottle. Make sure there is no more soda in it.
3) Wrap three pieces of tape around the 'engine' to give it support. Wrap one in the middle, one towards the top, and one piece at the bottom. Make sure the pieces are evenly spaced and supportive.
Step 3: Make the Wings
Use the plastic folder for this.
1) Cut out a triangle model for each of the wings. The wings should be a right triangle.
2) Cut out three pieces from the folder. Each should be 5-6 inches in width at the bottom and about 8 inches height.
3) Tape all the edges to give the wings support.
1) Cut out a triangle model for each of the wings. The wings should be a right triangle.
2) Cut out three pieces from the folder. Each should be 5-6 inches in width at the bottom and about 8 inches height.
3) Tape all the edges to give the wings support.
Step 4: Attach the Wings to the Engine
1) Measure the circumference of the rocket and divide it by 3.
2) Have someone hold the rocket still while another person attaches the wings. Put a piece of tape on the wing, attach it to the rocket, then finish installing the wing.
Note: Each wing should be taped at the same height as the others.
Note 2: We suggest putting the wings at a slight angle, to help the rocket turn in the air and gain more height.
Step 5: Nose Cone
Use the second 2L plastic bottle.
1) Heat the bottle's end at the feet.
2) Rotate the bottle so the end becomes rounded.
3) Cut off the nozzle side of the bottle and leave a lot of space.
Note: The nose cone is used to help the rocket be more aerodynamic. Also this cone should be big enough to comfortably crater the parachute and tennis ball in it until deployment.
1) Heat the bottle's end at the feet.
2) Rotate the bottle so the end becomes rounded.
3) Cut off the nozzle side of the bottle and leave a lot of space.
Note: The nose cone is used to help the rocket be more aerodynamic. Also this cone should be big enough to comfortably crater the parachute and tennis ball in it until deployment.
Step 6: Make the Parachute
Use the painter's tarp, thick string, and tennis ball for this stage.
1) Cut a 4 by 4 feet square out of the tarp.
2) Fold the square at a diagonal and keep folding it so the folded edges will stay together. Do not cut that side or you will not have a parachute but snowflakes.
3) Cut the edges that are open in a circular way.
4) Unfold the parachute and measure that circumference.
5) Divide the circumference into 8 and mark off the places.
6) Cut out 4 pieces of string so that they are 4 feet and 5 inches. Make sure they're all even
7) Cut 4 holes into the tennis ball.
8) Attach one end of each of the strings, run it through the tennis ball, and tie it to the other end of the parachute.
1) Cut a 4 by 4 feet square out of the tarp.
2) Fold the square at a diagonal and keep folding it so the folded edges will stay together. Do not cut that side or you will not have a parachute but snowflakes.
3) Cut the edges that are open in a circular way.
4) Unfold the parachute and measure that circumference.
5) Divide the circumference into 8 and mark off the places.
6) Cut out 4 pieces of string so that they are 4 feet and 5 inches. Make sure they're all even
7) Cut 4 holes into the tennis ball.
8) Attach one end of each of the strings, run it through the tennis ball, and tie it to the other end of the parachute.
Step 7: Testing Time
1) Fill the engine to about a little less than half with water.
2) Fold the parachute as small as possible. First fold it in half so it looks like an ice cream cone and continue to fold it in half. Bend the remainder into opposite directions each time. Try and get as much air out as possible.
3) Fold the strings so that they DO NOT TANGLE. Make sure the tennis ball does not roll or fold.
4) Insert the parachute and tennis ball into the nose cone right before launch. Put the nose cone on top.
5) Pump the engine to about 80 pounds so that there is sufficient pressure.
6) And Launch!
2) Fold the parachute as small as possible. First fold it in half so it looks like an ice cream cone and continue to fold it in half. Bend the remainder into opposite directions each time. Try and get as much air out as possible.
3) Fold the strings so that they DO NOT TANGLE. Make sure the tennis ball does not roll or fold.
4) Insert the parachute and tennis ball into the nose cone right before launch. Put the nose cone on top.
5) Pump the engine to about 80 pounds so that there is sufficient pressure.
6) And Launch!