Science Video – Rocket Grenades
For this experiment you will need:
Antacid Rocket Grenades
- Safety goggles
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Small empty water bottle
- 3 antacid tables – break them in half (Alka Seltzer or store brand)
- Food coloring
Step 1. Put on goggles. Pour vinegar into empty bottle.
Step 2. Add a few drops of red food coloring.
Step 3. Go outdoors. Add the 3 antacid tables quickly to the bottle of vinegar. Put the cap on. Make sure it’s closed tightly.
Step 4. Wait for the antacid and vinegar to react. You will feel the bottle getting firmer as the gas inside the bottle expands. Wait to the point where you may see the sides of the bottle bulge a bit.
Step 5. Go to an open area where there is a hard surface, like pavement or driveway. Throw the bottle as high as possible. When it lands, you should see an explosion and/or propulsion of the bottle. Make sure you keep a distance as the bottle may bounce back and hit your head!
What happens?
The vinegar (acid) and antacid tablets (sodium bicarbonate) reacts to form a gas. The gas that is formed is carbon dioxide. There is not enough volume or space for the gas in the bottle so that’s why you will see the sides of the bottle bulging. When the bottle hits the ground and breaks, the gas bursts out, the cap usually breaks and the bottle propels like a rocket.
More research
Try to experiment with different amounts of vinegar and antacid tablets to see how the reaction changes.