LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Using a novel form of potential energy, namely pressurized air and water, students create and launch lightweight plastic rockets. Students discover the best proportions of water and pressurized air to launch their rockets the furthest distance.

TIME REQUIRED: One Hour

OBJECTIVES:
Students will learn that pressurized gasses can be used to store energy. Students will understand that gasses are much more compressible than liquids. Students will learn Newton’s Third Law, “For every action their must be an equal and opposite reaction”.

FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS:
This experiment can be done outdoors only, and is best if done on a large, open, grassy field that is level and free of obstructions. This lesson requires access to a hose and an outdoor faucet.

SAFETY:
Students are given a safety training session on how to launch the plastic water and soda bottles. Several steps and rules are put into place to prevent students from being inadvertently struck by a launching bottle. Students can and will get “a little” wet!

CALIFORNIA SCIENCE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

Kindergarden: 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4rth Grade: 5th Grade: 6th Grade: