• Visit
    • Calendar
    • After Dark Thursdays
    • Buy Tickets
    • Exhibits
    • Museum Galleries
    • Artworks on View
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Visitor FAQ
    • Event Rentals
    • Field Trips
  • Education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Free Educator Workshops
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
    • Learning About Learning
    • Community Programs
    • Educator Newsletter
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
    • Activities
    • Video
    • Exhibits
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Websites
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Partnerships
    • Global Collaborations
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Contact Us
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
    • Attend a Fundraiser
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Host Your Event
    • Volunteer
  • Store
  • Visit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Calendar
      • Today
      • This Week
      • Online
      • After Dark Thursday Nights
      • Arts
      • Conferences
      • Cinema Arts
      • Free + Community Events
      • Fundraising Events
      • Kids + Families
      • Members
      • Special Hours
      • Private Event Closures
    • Prices
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Museum Map
    • Free Admission and Reduced Admission
    • Accessibility
    • Tips for Visiting with Kids
    • How to Exploratorium
    • Exhibits
    • Tactile Dome
    • Artworks on View
    • Cinema Arts
    • Kanbar Forum
    • Black Box
    • Museum Galleries
      • Bernard and Barbro Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena
        • Tactile Dome
          • 1971 Press Release
        • Black Box
        • Curator Statement
      • Gallery 2: Tinkering
        • Curator Statement
      • Bechtel Gallery 3: Seeing & Reflections
        • Curator Statement
      • Gordon and Betty Moore Gallery 4: Living Systems
        • Curator Statement
      • Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits
        • Curator Statement
      • Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6: Observing Landscapes
        • Wired Pier Environmental Field Station
        • Curator Statement
    • Restaurant & Café
    • School Field Trips
      • Getting Here
        • Bus Routes for Field Trips and Other Groups
      • Admission and Tickets
      • Planning Guide
      • Reservations
        • Field Trip Request Form
      • Resources
    • Event Rentals
      • Full Facility & Gallery Bundles
      • Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery & Terrace
      • Moore East Gallery
      • Bechtel Central Gallery & Outdoor Gallery
      • Osher West Gallery
      • Kanbar Forum

      • Weddings
      • Proms and School Events
      • Daytime Meetings, Events, & Filmings

      • Rentals FAQ
      • Event Planning Resources
      • Rental Request Form
      • Download Brochure (pdf)
    • Groups / Tour Operators
      • Group Visit Request Form
    • Exploratorium Store
    • Contact Us
  • Education
    • Black Teachers and Students Matter
    • Professional Development Programs
      • Free Educator Workshops
      • Professional Learning Partnerships
      • Teacher Institute
        • About the Teacher Institute
        • Summer Institute for Teachers
        • Teacher Induction Program
        • Leadership Program
        • Teacher Institute Research
        • CA NGSS STEM Conferences
          • NGSS STEM Conference 2020
        • Science Snacks
          • Browse by Subject
          • Special Collections
          • Science Snacks A-Z
          • NGSS Planning Tools
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Digital Teaching Boxes
        • Meet the Teacher Institute Staff
        • Resources for Supporting Science Teachers
      • Institute for Inquiry
        • What Is Inquiry?
        • Watch and Do Science
        • Inquiry-based Science and English Language Development
          • Educators Guide
            • Conceptual Overview
              • Science Talk
              • Science Writing
            • Classroom Video Gallery
              • Magnet Investigation
              • Snail Investigation
            • Teacher Professional Development
            • Project Studies
            • Acknowledgments
          • Conference: Exploring Science and English Language Development
            • Interviews with Participants
            • Plenary Sessions
            • Synthesis, Documentation, and Resources
        • Workshops
          • Participant Portal
          • Fundamentals of Inquiry
            • Summary Schedule
          • BaySci Science Champions Academy
          • Facilitators Guides
          • Commissioned Workshops
        • Resource Library
        • Meet the IFI Staff
      • Resources for California Educators
      • K-12 Science Leader Network
      • Resources for Supporting Science Teachers
      • Field Trip Explainer Program
      • Cambio
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
      • Learning Toolbox
      • Science Snacks
      • Digital Teaching Boxes
      • Science Activities
      • Tinkering Projects
      • Recursos gratuitos para aprender ciencias
      • Videos
      • Exhibits
      • Publications
      • Apps
      • Educator Newsletter
      • Exploratorium Websites
    • Educator Newsletter
    • Advancing Ideas about Learning
      • Visitor Research and Evaluation
        • What we do
        • Reports & Publications
        • Projects
        • Who we are
      • Center for Informal Learning in Schools
    • Community Programs
      • High School Explainer Program
      • Xtech
      • Community Educational Engagement
      • California Tinkering Afterschool Network
        • About
        • Partners
        • Resources
        • News & Updates
        • Further Reading
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
      • Arts
      • Astronomy & Space Sciences
        • Planetary Science
        • Space Exploration
      • Biology
        • Anatomy & Physiology
        • Ecology
        • Evolution
        • Genetics
        • Molecular & Cellular Biology
        • Neuroscience
      • Chemistry
        • Combining Matter
        • Food & Cooking
        • Materials & Matter
        • States of Matter
      • Data
        • Data Collection & Analysis
        • Modeling & Simulations
        • Visualization
      • Earth Science
        • Atmosphere
        • Geology
        • Oceans & Water
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Design & Tinkering
        • Real-World Problems & Solutions
      • Environmental Science
        • Global Systems & Cycles
        • Human Impacts
      • History
      • Mathematics
      • Nature of Science
        • Measurement
        • Science as a Process
        • Size & Scale
        • Time
      • Perception
        • Light, Color & Seeing
        • Listening & Hearing
        • Optical Illusions
        • Scent, Smell & Taste
        • Tactile & Touch
      • Physics
        • Electricity & Magnetism
        • Energy
        • Heat & Temperature
        • Light
        • Mechanics
        • Quantum
        • Sound
        • Waves
      • Social Science
        • Culture
        • Language
        • Psychology
        • Sociology
    • Browse by Content Type
      • Activities
      • Blogs
        • Spectrum
          • Arts
          • Behind the Scenes
          • News
          • Education
          • Community & Collaborations
          • Science
        • Eclipse
        • Studio for Public Spaces
        • Tangents
        • Resonance See & Hear Blog
        • Fabricated Realities
        • Tinkering Studio: Sketchpad
        • Exploratorium on Tumblr
      • Exhibits
      • Video
      • Websites
      • Apps
        • Total Solar Eclipse
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Land Acknowledgment
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Impact Report
    • Awards
    • Our History
      • 50 Years 1969–2019

    • Senior Leadership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board of Trustees Alumni
    • Staff Scientists
    • Staff Artists

    • Arts at the Exploratorium
      • Artworks on View
      • Artist-in-Residence Program
      • Cinema Arts
        • History and Collection
        • Cinema Artists-in-Residence
        • Resources and Collaborating Organizations
        • Kanbar Forum
      • Center for Art & Inquiry
        • Begin Here
          • Lessons
            • Bob Miller/Light Walk
            • Ruth Asawa/Milk Carton Sculpture
          • Workshops
      • Resonance
        • About the Series
        • See & Hear
        • Past Seasons
      • Over the Water
      • Black Box
      • Upcoming Events
      • Temporary Exhibitions
      • Arts Program Staff
    • Teacher Institute
    • Institute for Inquiry
    • Explainer Programs
    • Studio for Public Spaces
    • Exhibit Making
    • Partnerships
      • Building Global Connections
        • Global Collaborations
          • Projects
          • Approach
          • People
          • Impact
      • Partnering with Science Agencies
        • NASA
        • NOAA
      • Partnering with Educational Institutions
      • Osher Fellows

    • Job Opportunities
    • Become a Volunteer

    • Contact Info
    • Newsletter
    • Educator Newsletter
    • Blogs
    • Follow & Share
    • Press Office

    • FY21 Audit Report
    • 990 FY20 Tax Return
    • Use Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Intellectual Property Policy
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
      • Membership FAQ
      • Member Benefits
      • After Dark Membership
      • Member Events
      • May Is for Members
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
      • Corporate Membership
      • Luminary Partnerships
    • Attend a Fundraiser
      • Wonder Funday
      • Science of Cocktails
      • Party at the Piers
        • Event Leadership and Host Committee
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Volunteer
      • How to Apply
      • Application for Internships
      • Our Contract
      • Application for Individuals
  • Press Office
    • Press Releases
    • News Coverage
    • Events Calendar
    • Photographs
    • Press Video
    • Press Kits
    • Press Visits
    • Exploratorium Logos
    • Recent Awards
    • Praise for the Exploratorium
    • Join Our Press List
  • Store

Masks and vaccinations are recommended. Plan your visit  

Visitor FAQ Buy Tickets Donate Today
Exploratorium
Exploratorium
  • Visit
    • Calendar
    • After Dark Thursdays
    • Buy Tickets
    • Exhibits
    • Museum Galleries
    • Artworks on View
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Visitor FAQ
    • Event Rentals
    • Field Trips
  • Education
    • Professional Development Programs
    • Free Educator Workshops
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
    • Learning About Learning
    • Community Programs
    • Educator Newsletter
  • Explore
    • Browse by Subject
    • Activities
    • Video
    • Exhibits
    • Apps
    • Blogs
    • Websites
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Partnerships
    • Global Collaborations
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Arts at the Exploratorium
    • Contact Us
  • Join + Support
    • Donate Today!
    • Membership
    • Join Our Donor Community
    • Engage Your Business
    • Attend a Fundraiser
    • Explore Our Reach
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Donor & Corporate Member FAQ
    • Host Your Event
    • Volunteer
  • Store
Science Snacks
Science activity that experiments with rocket designs and a PVC launcher
Science activity that experiments with rocket designs and a PVC launcher
  • Science activity that experiments with rocket designs and a PVC launcher
  • Science activity that experiments with rocket designs and a PVC launcher

Bottle Blast Off

Ready for liftoff? Build your own rocket launcher!

Experiment with rocket designs and a PVC launcher to discover how high—and how far—you can make your rockets go.


Grade Bands: 
3-5
6-8
9-12
Subject: 
Engineering & Technology
Design & Tinkering
Mathematics
Nature of Science
Measurement
Physics
Mechanics
Keywords: 
gravity
motion
paper
outdoors
NGSS and EP&Cs: 
PS
PS2
CCCs
Cause and Effect
Structure and Function

  • Facebook logo
  • Reddit logo
  • Twitter logo


Tools and Materials

For the launcher:

  • Two empty 2-liter soda bottles (one is for the launcher; the other is a spare)
  • One 4-foot (122 cm) length of PVC pipe, schedule 40, 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) inner diameter (see note below)
  • Three 1-foot (30-cm) lengths of PVC pipe, schedule 40, 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) inner diameter (see note below)
  • One 3-inch (8-cm) length of PVC pipe, schedule 40, 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) inner diameter (see note below)
  • One PVC elbow, schedule 40, to fit PVC pipe above
  • Two PVC end caps, schedule 40, to fit PVC pipe above
  • One PVC quad joiner, schedule 40, to fit PVC pipe above
  • Hacksaw or PVC cutting tool (see note below)

For the rocket:

  • One sheet of 8.5 x 11 (A4) paper for each rocket you want to make
  • Approximately 1 foot (30 cm) of the same PVC pipe used for your rocket launcher (or use the launcher itself)
  • Clear tape
  • Scissors
  • Card stock (or any stiff paper, such as used file folders or 3 x 5 index cards)
  • Optional: a second PVC elbow, another 1-foot (30-cm) length of PVC pipe, and one PVC T-joint (all schedule 40, 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) inner diameter)

Note: The exact lengths of the PVC are not critical. Ask your hardware store to saw your PVC pipe into the lengths you need. If they cannot accommodate this request, you’ll also need a hacksaw blade or PVC cutters. If you’re using a hacksaw blade, wrap one end with duct tape to make a "handle" so you can safely cut the pipe.


Assembly

Build the launcher

  1. Attach your longest and shortest pieces of PVC pipe to opposite sides of the quad joint.
  2. Add a 1-foot (30-cm) length of PVC pipe to each of the remaining openings on the quad joint.
  3. Put an end cap on each of the ends of the two 1-foot (30-cm) lengths of PVC pipe that you just added to the quad joint.
  4. Add the PVC elbow, facing upward, to the open end of the 3-inch (8-cm) length of pipe.
  5. Add the third 1-foot (30-cm) length of PVC pipe to the end of the elbow. This is the part of the launcher where the rocket goes. Notice that the angle can be changed by rotating the elbow relative to the base of the launcher.
  6. Slip the 2-liter bottle over the end of the longest piece of PVC pipe and you’re ready for launch!

Build the rocket

  1. To make the rocket’s body, roll a sheet of 8.5 x 11 (A4) paper into a cylinder that will fit over the launcher-end of your PVC assembly (see photo below). Don’t roll the paper too tight; you should be able to easily slide it off.
  2. Tape the paper tube so it stays rolled up. Slip it off the pipe, and then, using your scissors, clip one end of the tube in a V to make the pointed “nose” of the rocket (see photo below). Use tape to seal the point so it’s airtight.
  3. Finally, you can add fins, which will help your rocket fly straight. To make them from a 3 x 5 index card, fold the card in half to make a short rectangle. Then unfold it, cut along the fold line, and stack the two halves. Draw a line from one corner of the rectangle to the other, cut along it through both halves, and you’ll have four triangular fins (see photo below).
  4. Tape the fins to the sides of the rocket at the base. Be sure to tape both sides of each fin to the rocket.

To Do and Notice

Ready for liftoff?

Now that you’ve got both a rocket and a rocket launcher, you’re ready to go. Find an appropriate launch site without overhead obstacles (wires, ceilings, trees, etc.). Make sure no one will be in the path of the rocket, and then you can start your countdown.

Slide your rocket onto your rocket launcher, and send that rocket flying with a good stomp on the 2-liter bottle. (Caution: Be sure to use only one foot when you stomp on the bottle. Using both feet to stomp can cause the stomper to slip and fall.)

When you’ve got your technique down, experiment to see how changes to your rocket will affect its flight. Roll your sheet of paper the long way instead of the short way (or vice-versa) and see what happens. Try out a new fin shape or a different angle for the V of the rocket’s nose. Can you think of other designs to experiment with? Build new rockets, predict how they’ll fly, and see what happens.


What's Going On?

In order to move through the air, a rocket has to push air aside. Things that are designed to travel quickly, such as sports cars and jets, are shaped to minimize the amount of air they push aside to move forward. Your paper rocket has been designed to move through the air efficiently, too. The V-shaped nose helps it cut through the air as it flies; the fins help keep the rocket moving in a straight line.

If you tried two different-length paper cylinders for your rocket experiments, you may have noticed that the longer rocket flew further/higher than the shorter one. This is because a long rocket body has more distance (length of rocket) over which the force of the air from the PVC tube is applied, which increases the amount of time during which the force is applied. As the air expands into the pipe and rocket, however, the force decreases, so there is some optimal length of rocket where force and time are maximized.

The launching force is created by stomping on the 2-liter bottle. Increasing that force will make the rocket go higher/further. The change in velocity is proportional to how much force you apply and the time during which the force is applied. The change in velocity is inversely proportional to the mass of the rocket. Therefore, lighter rockets tend to go further/higher.

These variables—the force of the stomp, the length of time during which the force is applied to the rocket (which, in this case, translates to the length of the rocket), and the mass of the rocket—all affect how high and far the rocket flies.


Going Further

With an additional PVC elbow, another 1-foot (30-cm) length of PVC pipe, and one PVC T-joint, you can rearrange the pieces of your launcher to launch two rockets simultaneously. (Hint: Start by replacing the two end caps of your original design with the two elbows.) How would a “double rocket” launch affect each rocket’s flight?

If you want, you can also measure the height of a rocket’s flight using the inclinometer in the Height Sight Snack. To use the method described there, the launch angle of the rocket would need to be 90 degrees, so be sure to launch the rocket vertically and keep both eyes open as you track its flight.

If you have several people measuring the rocket's flight, you can average their inclinometer measurements to most accurately determine the rocket's height. If only one person is measuring, try launching the same rocket several times, and record and average those sets of measurements.

This Science Snack is part of a collection that showcases LGBT artists, scientists, inventors and thinkers whose work aids or expands our understanding of the phenomena explored in each Snack.

Highlighted Scientist: Anne McClain
Source: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Anne McClain (pictured above) is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, an engineer, and a NASA astronaut. She was a flight engineer for Expedition 58/59 to the International Space Station. Lieutenant Colonel McClain, a Senior Army Aviator, has more than 2,000 flight hours in 20 different aircraft. With the Bottle Blast Off Science Snack, you can simulate some of her flights by building your own air-powered rocket and launcher and measuring how high you can go.



Related Snacks

Science activity that demonstrates use of nonstandard measurements and simple ratios for estimating sizes or distances
Handy Measuring Tool

Measure the height of an object indirectly using your hand and a ratio.

Science activity that demonstrates force and acceleration of marshmallows
Marshmallow Puff Tube

If you blow harder, will it go farther?

Build an inclinometer, a tool that can measure the height of a distant object, no matter how far away it is
Height Sight

Find the height of a tree, paper rocket or North Star.



Creative Commons License



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Attribution: Exploratorium Teacher Institute

  • Education
    • Teacher Institute
    • Tools for Teaching and Learning
      • Science Snacks
        • Browse by Subject
        • Special Collections
        • Science Snacks A-Z
        • NGSS Planning Tools
        • Frequently Asked Questions



Connect with us!



  •   Sign up for our educator newsletter

  •   Follow #ExploEDU

  •   Teacher Institute YouTube

  •   Teacher Institute Facebook

  •  teacherinstitute @exploratorium.edu

Exploratorium
Visit
Join
Give

Pier 15
(Embarcadero at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.528.4444

Contact Us

  • Plan Your Visit
  • Calendar
  • Buy Tickets
  • Getting Here
  • Store
  • Event Rentals
  • About Us
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • Volunteer
  • Press Office
  • Land Acknowledgment

Get at-home activities and learning tools delivered straight to your inbox

The Exploratorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our tax ID #: 94-1696494
© 2023 Exploratorium | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights |