Scientific Principles

Slingshot Rocket: Elasticity

When you pull back the rubber band on the slingshot, you are stretching the elastic and creating tension. This tension is known as potential, or stored, energy. When you release the rubber band, the elastic snaps back to its original shape and size, turning the potential energy into kinetic energy, meaning energy in motion. The rocket, powered by this kinetic energy, shoots up into the sky.

Volcano Rocket: Chemical Reaction

When you mix baking soda and vinegar together, you get a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide and water. As the reaction occurs inside the bottle rocket, the carbon dioxide gas starts to build up pressure. Once the pressure reaches a critical point, the gas pushes out the bottle’s cork. As the contents blast down and out, the rocket shoots up. This follows the principle of Newton’s famous third law of motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Bike Pump Rocket: Force and Pressure

By pumping air into the bottle rocket, enclosed with a stopper, you increase the pressure inside. The internal pressure forces out the stopper and ejects the water down and out of the bottle. As the water flows out of the bottom, the rocket flies upward. Similar to the baking soda and vinegar rocket, this bicycle pump method also illustrates Newton’s third law of motion.

References and Learning Resources:

Encyclopedia Britannica (Baking Soda and Vinegar Chemical Reaction): https://kids.britannica.com/students/assembly/view/233555

Space Center Houston (Newton’s Third Law of Motion): https://spacecenter.org/science-in-action-newtons-third-law-of-motion/

U.S. Energy Information Administration (Types of Energy): https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/what-is-energy/forms-of-energy.php