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Water rockets are used in school/scouting/4-H presentations to help students understand the principles of aeronautics. This project is geared towards middle school aged students.


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EditSteps

  1. Final reduced.jpg
    1
    You will be building this.
  2. 2
    Baseplate.PNG
    Cut sheet of wood 16” x 16”. Cut 3 3/8” diameter hole in center of board
  3. IMG_5400 1x.jpg
    3
    Blocks.PNG
    Add baseboard blocks to the four corners of baseboard
  4. 4
    Pipe.PNG
    Cut pipe to 9”. Cut slot as shown
  5. IMG_5382 1x.jpg
    5
    Glue pipe to center of board. Slide pipe through hole and glue both sides. This will give a stronger setup.
  6. 6
    Reducer.PNG
    Rocket_assy.PNG
    Rocket_assy1.PNG
    Place reducing ring on top of PVC pipe. This completes the rocket launcher setup.
  7. IMG_5388.JPG
    7
    Extend the length of bicycle pump hose by cutting it in half and adding in the clear tubing. Use hose clamps to seal the ends
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    8
    Drill a small hole through the rubber stopper – just enough to fit the needle through the hole (needs to be a tight fit). Feed the needle through the stopper so the threaded side is on the wide end of the stopper. Clamp the stopper to the pump. If needed, add tape for additional support. This completes the pump assembly.
  9. IMG_5358.JPG
    9
    Add water to bottle – question the kids on how much water should be added
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    10
    Place reducing ring on bottle
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    11
    Press stopper into bottle
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    IMG_5369.JPG
    12
    Place bottle/reducer/stopper assy onto pipe
  13. 13
    Move pump away from rocket and start pumping
  14. 14
    Rocket will release when the pressure overcomes the friction of the stopper.
  15. 15
    See Video for Build/Launch
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EditVideo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP1_-2_E2fg

EditWarnings

  • Note that the rocket release is not controlled. The rocket launches when the pressure inside the bottle forces the stopper from the nozzle. For this reason, the kids should stand back when applying pressure to the bottle. Depending on the stopper seal, rockets can fly as high as 50 feet.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Materials:
    • Wood - 16” x 16” x .25”
    • Wood - 2.5” x 2.5” x .75”
    • PVC Pipe 3 3/8” diameter
    • PVC Reducer - 5” x 4”
    • Waterproof glue
    • Bicycle pump
    • PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing (3/8” diameter) – 10 feet long
    • Hose clamps
    • Rubber stopper
    • Inflating needle
    • Tape
    • 2 Liter Bottles
    • Water jugs
    • Water
  • Tools:
    • Saw
    • Ruler
    • Screw driver

EditSources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Format | Model Rockets

Recent edits by: Jaymarae, Adelaide, Mtairymd

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 111 times.

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