Name: _______________________________ Assignment 5.

4 - Alka Seltzer Rocket Project Objective: Get your alka seltzer rocket to travel the farthest Each group of 2 or 3 people will get a specific amount of tablets for this project. Do not waste these tablets!! Background: The chemical reaction between the alka seltzer tablet and the water produces carbon dioxide gas. The gas expands and fills (or overfills) the film container. The pressure pops the top/bottom off! Materials: Safety Goggles Alka Seltzer Tablet White film canister with a snap on cap Small amount of water (5 mL) Launch Pad General Procedure: 1. Put on safety goggles 2. Break an alka seltzer tablet into quarters (4 pieces) 3. Put two quarters of the tablet into the film canister 4. Using a graduated cylinder, measure 5 mL of tap water **Perform the next 4 steps quickly** 5. Add 5 mL of water to the film canister 6. Snap the lid tightly onto the canister 7. Turn the canister over onto a table so it is standing on its lid (or slide the canister lid-side-down into the launching station) 8. STAND BACK ** If you see bubbles around the base, your canister does not have a tight seal** Remember you need at least a tablet at the end of the week to use to compete with your classmates What affects the distance the rocket travels? Does how long it takes for the rocket to launch affect the distance the rocket travels? Does water temperature affect how fast the rocket launches? Does the size of the tablet piece affect how long it takes for the rocket to launch? Would using a bigger tablet piece make the rocket launch faster? Would crushing up the tablet make the rocket launch faster? Does how much water in the canister affect the distance the rocket travels? Does breaking the tablet into quarters versus breaking the tablet in half affect the distance the rocket travels?

Directions: Step 1: Read the General Procedure above. Make a storyboard for the procedure on the back of this paper. Draw a picture for each step in the procedure. The pictures have to be detailed. (Storyboard should be completed on the back in the appropriate boxes) Storyboard

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Step 2: Have Ms. Merk/Mr. Consiglio approve your storyboard. You may not move onto Step 3 until you have received Ms. Merk or Mr. Consiglios approval.

Step 3: Follow the general procedure and complete the experiment. Measure the distance your canister traveled using a meter stick or measuring tape. You should measure from the base of the launch pad to where the canister landed. Distance Traveled: ___________________________ _