Cover Page

Abstract 

We are doing an experiment on rockets as rockets launches require a chemical reaction with fuel to produce a thrust for lift off so we intend to recreate it on a smaller scale by launching bottle rockets using the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar as a thrust. We want to find out what is the best ratio of baking soda and vinegar that will allow thrust for rocket to launch and we will judge based on the distance covered by the rocket. In order to do this experiments, we must first build the rocket and find a suitable material to hold the pressure of the baking soda and vinegar in the bottle so that it can launch. The results is that the best ratio of baking soda to vinegar is 100 grams of baking soda to 150 milliliter of vinegar and that our hypothesis of 150 grams to 200 milliliter of vinegar is wrong. From this, we can conclude that the ratio of 100 grams of baking soda to 250 milliliter of vinegar launched the rocket the furthest.


Background Research
A rocket obtains thrust from a rocket engine, allowing it to take off. Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction. Rocket engines push rockets forward simply by throwing their exhaust backwards extremely fast. Many rockets use chemicals to react with each other to generate the propelling force. We plan to research on this form of launching a rocket but we plan to substitute the chemicals with baking soda and vinegar to build up pressure when they react with each other to thrust and propel the rocket. 

We have read about similar experiments that was done in the past and so we found out that we should use a wood pole or build our own launch pad for the rocket. We also found out the steps of constructing the rocket such as the ways we can build the wings of the rocket with sticks and what materials we could use such as a balloon to block the hole of the rocket so that pressure can build up inside and thus launching the rocket forward.

We have also learnt about how we should launch the rocket such that we will not injured anyone in the area by launching in an open area when no one is around and by not standing behind or in front of the rocket when it is about to launch. We also learnt how to put the baking soda and vinegar in the rocket by pouring the vinegar to the rocket first and then wrap the baking soda in a paper towel and load it in the rocket. This will allow us to have enough time to place the rocket on the launchpad and to clear the area so that no one will get hurt after the baking soda and vinegar mix and cause a chemical reaction that will launch the rocket forward.

Research Question 
Using the rocket to measure the ratio of baking soda and vinegar that will result in the furthest distance travelled by the rocket by changing the amounts of baking soda and vinegar each launch without changing the rocket, the angle of launch, the launch conditions and the type of materials used.


Hypothesis 
The best ratio is 150 grams of baking soda to 200 milliliter of vinegar that will result in the longest distance reached by the rocket.


Independent variable(s) 
The ratio of the baking soda to vinegar.


Dependent variable 
The distance travelled by the rocket.


Constants 
The total amount of baking soda and vinegar, the rocket used, the angle of launch.