Chemistry MUIDS Section 1102

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Pocket Project

Name

Apisara Yooyuen Jaja 5861004

Warisara Bunluesak Fon 5861179
Lapasrada Cholpraserd Lily 5861056
Pin-anong Weesapen Pin 5861109
Pattiya Watchara-Amnouy Minnie 5861304
 Abstract

This project, Launching the Rocket, is created in order to allow the student to
explore the basic concepts of chemistry and physics, which the process of our
learning is shown in this report; including the design, the experiment procedure, the
result, the errors happened, the calculation based on chemical concepts, the
discussion of design etc. By conducting this experiment, our group had analyzed the
data gathered and came to the conclusion that 400 ml of vinegar, 33.07 g of baking
soda and put the launcher at 45 degree is the best condition for accuracy, but also
we also aware that in order to make the rocket most accurate, it is very important to
consider the external factors. Understanding chemical equation is also needed to
know amount of product produced by reactants and to consider about reactant left.
By conducting the experiment, and completing the project, we had achieved the
objectives which are, gaining basic understanding of the concepts in chemistry and
physics, learning to work as a group, learning to plan the process, learning practical
experiment methods, learning the process of trial and errors.
Background Information

Projectile
A projectile is an object upon which the only force acting is gravity. There are a
variety of examples of projectiles. An object dropped from rest is a projectile
(provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). An object that is thrown
vertically upward is also a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is
negligible). And an object which is thrown upward at an angle to the horizontal is
also a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). A
projectile is any object that once projected or dropped continues in motion by its own
inertia and is influenced only by the downward force of gravity.
 From researching, we found out that the angle that can make rocket move for
the longest distance in the direction of projectile motion is 45 degree. So, we
designed our rocket stand laying on triangular prism made of polypropylene board
with 45 degree angles to make the rocket to start in the direction of 45 degree angle
from horizontal line.

Baking soda or Sodium bicarbonate is the substance that contains Sodium

atom, Carbon atom, Oxygen atoms, and Hydrogen atom. It can be written in a
molecular formula of NaHCO3. This substance will mostly produce carbon dioxide
gas when it mixes with acid (PubChem Compound Database, 2017).

Vinegar is the liquid that consist of acetic acid about 5-20%. Acetic acid is
also known as Ethanoic acid, Ethylic acid, Vinegar acid, and Glacial acetic acid. Its
molecular formula is CH3COOH. Vinegar is now mainly used as a cooking
ingredient, or in pickling (PubChem Compound Database, 2017).
 When an acid and base are placed together, they react to neutralize the acid
and base properties, producing a salt. The H(+) cation of acid combines with the
OH(-) anion of the base to form water. The compound formed by the cation of the
base and the anion of the acid is called a salt. Hydrochloric and sodium hydroxide
combines to produce common table salt, NaCl:

The word salt is a general term which applies to the products of all acid-base
reactions.

According from what we had researched, the reaction between soda and
vinegar occurs because of acid-base reaction. Baking soda is a
bicarbonate(NaHCO3) and vinegar is an acetic acid (HCH3COO). One of the
products that the reaction creates is carbon dioxide.
Materials:

1. Bottles 1500 ml 2. Duct tape

3. Scotch tape 4. Polypropylene board

5. Acrylic color 6. Paintbrush

7. Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) 8. Vinegar (Acetic acid)

9. Plastic sheet 10. Color pencils

11. Scissors 12. Cutter

13. Tissue paper 14. PVC pipe

15. Rubber stopper

Methods

Building Rocket
1. Brainstorm the idea and design of the rocket
2. Cut the bottles in the the planned size considering that two of the bottles have
to be stick together
3. Stick the bottle together with duct tape by put the top part out both side so that
the caps will be at the end of both side
4. Draft the fins on the Polypropylene board and cut it out
5. Mark the point to stick the fins, trying to make the weight balance
6. By using duct tape, stick the fins to the rocket
7. Using duct tape cover all the space left on the bottles in order create the same
texture all over the rocket
8. Bend a plastic sheet to create the shape of cone and use tape to maintain the
sheet in that shape; will be used as the head of the rocket
9. Draw and colour an alien and stick it to the Polypropylene board
10. Colour the bottles and fins with Acrylic color
11. Stick the Aliens to the top part of the rocket (opposite to the fins)
12. Stick the Cone with the bottles using duct tape
13. Color the plastic sheet at the top part, make sure that the space is left for the
alien to appreciate the views.

Create the launcher

Launcher is also one of the most important factor in the project because it
determine the angles of launching. Also it need to be able to receive the weight of
the rocket and stay at the same angle.

1.Use PVC pipe with 35 cm.2 pieces , 50 cm. 2 pieces and 40 cm. 2 pieces
and the T-joint for 4 pieces
2. Put all pipes together follow by the draft
3. Cut the future board in triangle to support the base and make it stay at the
same angle
4.Try with the rocket.
Conducting Experiment
In this process we did the experiment with our rockets in order to test its
accuracy according to its design, angles, mass, chemical used etc. There are so
many times that we did this process all over again due to the errors but anyways, the
methods of experiment remained the same.

1. Measure the mass of rocket and record

2. Prepare the vinegar by;
a. Measure the volume with the cylinder
b. Pour in the rocket
c. Close it with the plastic stopper
d. Record the amount used
3. Prepare Baking soda;
a. Measure the mass of baking soda by;
i. Putting the tissue paper on the electrical balance
ii. Press clear zero
iii. Pour baking soda until the mass match with the planned mass
b. Fold the tissue papers
c. Tape both ends of the papers (be careful that the baking soda has to
be in the paper and not split out)
4. Prepare the launcher
a. Set the launcher at the mark point, consider wind direction
5. Stick the packet of baking soda to the plastic stopper with the tape, so that
chemical will not be able to mix at that time.
6. Closed the rocket with the stopper sticked with the packet of baking soda
7. Place the rocket at the launcher
Testing

Data table 1. Trial Day

No. Trial Accuracy Rocket Vinegar Baking soda Decoration Angle

weight(g) amount(ml) amount(g)

1 0 68.02 532 37.44 1.5 40

2 0 68.02 532 37.20 1.5 40

Data table 2. Launching Day(Demonstration Day)

No. Trial Accuracy Rocket Vinegar Baking soda Decoration Angle

weight(g) amount(ml) amount (g)

1 0 86.40 530 37.84 1.5 40

2 0 86.40 550 37.70 1.5 40

3 0 86.40 430 33.14 2.5 45

4 0 86.40 400 32.44 2.5 45

5 4 86.40 400 33.07 2.5 45

Discussion

When we put baking soda in vinegar, chemical reaction occurred very fast
within a few seconds. So, we designed to put baking soda in tissue and folded it. We
sticked scotch tape on it for avoiding outflow of baking soda. Tissue will help slowing
down the reaction by separating baking soda and vinegar for a few seconds. Before
we let the rocket fly, we sticked the roll of tissue containing baking soda by scotch
tape under the plastic stopper because we did not want tissue to touch vinegar yet
so we let tissue to touch vinegar only when we flipped the bottle. After tissue touched
vinegar and baking soda came out, gas was produced inside the bottle. We saw that
the liquid inside the bottle changed to turbid liquid when the reaction occurred. The
reaction occurred following this chemical equation: NaHCO3 + CH3COOH CO2 +
H2O + CH3COO- + Na+ .

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate has melting point at 60 Celsius or or

140 Fahrenheit.[1] It is the chemical that does not have boiling point. The density is
2.159 grams per cubic centimeter.[1] At temperature over 70Celsius or 228
Fahrenheit, sodium bicarbonate will decompose. White crystalline powder or lumps
is its physical state. It is also odorless. It has molecular weight at 84.01. The flash
point of sodium bicarbonate is not not considered to be a fire hazard or
non-flammable. In water, it is soluble but in alcohol it is insoluble.[2]

Sodium bicarbonate has 8.2 or 0.1 mol of pH.[1] This substance is considered
as a weak base and can dissociate to be sodium and bicarbonate ions. It also act as
an anti-acid and will produce carbon dioxide gas(CO2) when reacts with vinegar. It
can be decomposed easily by using acids and increases alkalinity of the solution
while heating or stirring. It is a monosodium salt of carbonic acids.It has topological
Polar Surface Area of 60.4 A^2.

The colour of vinegar is clear but it changes the colour of food dye after mixed
with it. The density is about 1.01 grams per milliliter. At temperature of -2Celsius or
28 degrees Fahrenheit is the freezing point of vinegar. The boiling point of vinegar is
100.6 Celsius or 213 Fahrenheit and has melting point at 16 Celsius.[3]

For the chemical properties of vinegar, the pH is 2.4 and the acid part of
vinegar is what gives it its sour taste and its antiseptic (germ killing) properties as
well as its cleaning properties.[4] Vinegar isnt simply a dilute solution of acetic acid.
Depending on the fruit or other organic starting produce and the amount of
processing, it can contain varying amounts of minerals, enzymes, vitamins, fiber and
other organic compounds. Also, chemical formula refers to the chemical composition
of acetic acid since vinegar is essentially a dilute solution of this acid. A single
molecule of acetic acid contains two carbon, four hydrogen and two oxygen atoms.
 Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is limiting reagent. We calculated and found that
acetic acid will be used in the reaction 0.32 mol while sodium bicarbonate will be
used 0.4 mol. From the equation, acetic acid will be used less than sodium
bicarbonate so amount of 0.32 mol will be used to limit amount of substance. It
means that product produced from the reaction will be about 0.32 mol.

We can improve rockets accuracy by place the launcher in a good spot and
observe the direction of the wind. Put the launcher in the location that help the rocket
flow into the target. Optimise the amount of one or both reactants(vinegar and baking
soda) each time based on the result of the previous launches. Fixing the fins to make
the rocket be more stable. Adjust the launcher. Making it stronger enough to hold the
rocket. As 45 is the angle that make the rocket get the farthest spot, the angle of the
launcher must be 45.

Calculation:

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH CO2 + H2O + CH3COO- + Na+

Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate):

NaHCO3 molar mass = 22.989769+1.00794+12.0107+(15.9994*3)

= 84.006609
= 84.01 g/mol (4 sigfig)

Vinegar (acetic acid):

CH3COOH molar mass = (12.0107*2) + (1.00794*4) + (15.9994*2)

= 60.05196
= 60.05 g/mol (4 sigfig)
Carbon dioxide:

CO2 molar mass = 12.0107+(15.9994*2)

= 44.0095
= 44.01 g/mol (4 sigfig)

Water (Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO)):

H20 molar mass = (1.00794*2)+15.9994

= 18.01528
= 18.02 g/mol (4 sigfig)

Acetate:

-
CH3COO molar mass = (12.0107*2)+(1.00794*3)+(15.9994*2)
= 59.04402
= 59.04 g/mol (4 sigfig)

Sodium ion:

+
Na molar mass = 22.989769
= 22.99 g/mol (4 sigfig)

Molecular formular
+
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH
+
Na
-
CO2 H2O CH3COO +
+

Molecular 84.001g./mol 60.05g./mol 44.01g./mol

weight

weight 33.07 g. 400 ml

mol 33.07g./ 84.001 0.08 x 400 / 100 0.32 x 44.01

=0.4 mol =0.32 mol = 14.08 g.
Errors Discussion
There were so many error happened during our launching, including the error
with the rocket, the base and the condition when we do the launching.

1) The leaking of TG111

The first rocket we used is TG111 (we dont use TG110 because we
were afraid that it will be ruined as we used a lot of time decorating it). But
TG111 isnt the perfect rocket. We realised the error when we pour vinegar in
the rocket, we noticed that the vinegar leaked out from the connecting point. It
is faulty since our designed to connect two bottle together instead of using
only one bottle and make the head part.
Improvement: we made the new rocket called TG115 (even though we
had the old backup rocket, TG112 as we knew that it works but we were
aware that the decoration may change the momentum of the rocket)

2) Unusable stopper
In the first trial day, one thing that we forgot to buy was the stopper. So
we did solve the problem by creating the new one. We used the paper folded
and rolled then hold it with the tape so that it formed the shape like the
stopper. We found out that it is not so good to create pressure as it could not
entirely close the bottle.
Improvement: We used the plastic stopper that can suit to the bottle,
and it really helped because it entirely closed the bottle and created pressure
also it was mighty that we could use it over and over until the project ended.

3) The destruction of the launcher

Our first version of unmodified launcher also has the faulty in its
design. As the tubes that supposed to support the target was too weak that it
fell down from 45 degree to 0 degree and also the launcher has nothing to
hold the rocket that when we placed it, it slide down to the ground. Also when
we hold the launcher it broke down to smaller pieces of tube
Improvement: We modified the launcher to make it stronger and more
stable. First of all we use the plastic glue to connect them tightly so they will
not fall down(except two connection point used for rotating). With the stability
we use the Polypropylene board to make a triangle with 40 degree to support
the tubes that they will be able to support the weight of the rocket. Also we cut
the board in rectangle shape and created two holes and stabbed it to the
tubes that it will stop the rocket from sliding down.

4) The wrong type of chemical substance.

We realised at the second trial that the rocket didnt go so far not
because the proportion of chemical is wrong, but it is the chemical substance
 that is wrong. We mistake the substance at the first place as we bought the
baking powder with contain only 30% sodium bicarbonate in it. Therefore the
rocket didnt work out so well.
Improvement: We bought the pure baking soda and used it instead,
and it worked.

5) Not enough pressure

After the trials we noticed that our rocket didnt go so far as we
expected. So we tried to find out and it turned out that it is because the
Polypropylene board, that we used to stop the rocket from sliding down, has a
hole for the stopper as the first time we think that the stopper need space to
bounce out from the bottles. But actually it need something to push it so that
the rocket can push it and go further
Improvement: We just switched the side of the Polypropylene board so
that there is no hole for the stopper to lessen it pressure. And the rocket can
create more force by push the board and go further.

6) The escape of TG115

As we made the new rocket, named TG115. In the launching day, there
are error with the amount of chemical used and the wind direction. It caused
the rocket to fly away outside the school heading North. The rocket flew away
and went beyond the school territory into another area with the walls, that we
could not go and get the rocket back, thus it was gone forever.
Improvement: At that time we still got some time in the period so we
used the backup rocket, TG112, to do the trial. So we used it without any
decoration or fins
7) Decoration of TG112
As it was very urgent that TG115 was gone. TG112 had not been
decorated at that time and the lab technician had warned us about the
decoration score; it will be low because there was nothing but the bottle and
the plastic head, no fins and decoration.
Improvement: At that time we didnt do any decoration yet because we
thought that we should use the trial time efficiency and trying to launch the
rocket first. Since we could do the decorating after school.

8) Instability of TG112
We did many trial with TG112, and we started to noticed that it landed
with shorter and shorter distance while we had not reach 20 metres. And we
started to notice the way that the rocket landed; it spin a little bit before it
landed. It did not go straight forward and we think that it is the reason that it
landed quickly as it lack of momentum to reach the target.
Improvement: We decided to stop the trial and modified the rocket. As
we know that the result would be the same. So we made it fins and stick it
symmetrically to the rocket using the edges of paper to help guide the position
of the fin. We also added tape at the top of the rocket in order to make it
heavier so that it would not spin before it land.

9) The direction of the rocket

After sticked the fins to TG112, we faced another problem that when
we launched it, it will be a little bit to the side not straight as it should be. We
then noticed that it is because the fins, not that they are in the wrong position.
But when we placed the rocket in the launcher, its fins bended, and that
changed the direction of the rocket.
Improvement: As we know that the fin bended, we were being more
careful to put the rocket on the launcher, as we have to put it in the position
that the fins will not be interfered by the launcher.

10) Amount of Chemical used

We had been sticking with the same amount of vinegar which was
around 500-530 mL, that the rocket went further than 20 metre and did not
land in the target.
Improvement: We reduced the amount of vinegar by little amount each
round to the range of 400-500 mL and the rocket started to get closer and
closer to the target.

11)Stuck in the tree

Wind direction is one of the important factor, that we used to think that
it wouldnt affect that much. But in the launching, we set the launcher in the
middle of the way straight to the target and the rocket went out well, but the
wind blew it that it get up and stuck in the tree.
Improvement: We get help from PWin, the lab technician, and we
decided to see and consider the wind direction before launching the rocket.
When the wind blow to the right, we set the launcher a little bit to the left, so
that the wind will bend the direction and it would go to the target.
References

- Smith, H. (n.d.). Physical & Chemical Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate.

Retrieved from
http://sciencing.com/physical-chemical-properties-sodium-bicarbonate-657141
2.html

- Sodium bicarbonate. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/inorganic/SODIUM%20BICAR
BONATE.htm

- G. (2011, September 18). Physical Properties of Vinegar. Retrieved from

http://gabbychemistryblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/physical-properties-of-vineg
ar.html

- Properties of vinegar. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/properties-of-vinegar.html