Transcript Alka Seltzer Rocket Lab Day

Wednesday, May 21st: “A” Day
Thursday, May 22nd: “B” Day (Sr. finals)
Collect Books
Collect Free Homework Pass
Alka Seltzer Rocket Lab!
Collect Books
If you need a few minutes to say goodbye to
your chemistry textbook of awesomeness,
please do so now…..
Collect Free Homework Pass
If you haven’t used your free homework pass
yet, good
for you!
Turn it in for 10 pts extra credit!
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
There is no lab write-up for this lab!
This lab will not be graded!
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
When alka seltzer tablets are put into water,
carbon dioxide gas is generated.
In a sealed container, the gas causes an
increase in pressure, which must be released.
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Alka seltzer is mainly sodium bicarbonate and
citric acid.
When these two chemicals are mixed in water, the
reaction is exothermic and CO2 gas is generated
along with sodium citrate:
H3C6H5O7 + 3 NaHCO3
3 CO2 + 3 H2O + NaC6H5O7
What kind of reaction is this?
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Purpose/Hypothesis
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate
Newton’s 3rd law of motion: “For every action
there is an opposite and equal reaction” and
to control variables in order to achieve
optimum rocket performance.
Hypothesis:
How high do you thing the rocket will fly?
Which variables will optimize the
performance/why?
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Materials
Safety glasses
Alka seltzer tablets
Film canisters with snap-on lids
Water (hot/cold)
Temperature Probe
Timer (can use phone)
Meter Stick/tape measure/tape
Any other materials that you may want to
try…
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Procedure Hints
After adding the alka seltzer to the film
canister, snap on the lid quickly.
Place the filled canister upside-down on the
sidewalk and back away.
WAIT for it….
If nothing happens, wait about 30 seconds
before approaching the canister. WHY do you
think it didn’t work?
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Things to think about…
Size of the tablet
Age of tablet
Brand of tablet
Volume of water
Temperature of water
Orientation of canister
Shake canister
What other variables can you think of…
Lab: “Alka Seltzer Rockets”
Since this lab may be kind of messy, we’ll be
going outside to launch the rockets.
Again, I won’t be collecting anything and
nothing will be graded, but you still want to
make a data table to record your results…
Try to optimize your variables to get the
maximum height!