Understanding the properties behind substances that are commonly found is one of the first steps towards a deeper understanding of chemistry. Diving deep into properties that kids come across every day through interesting activities like secret messages and soda bottle rockets is one way to do that!
In this session, we will be combining two activities. In the first activity, we'll write a secret invisible message and reveal it using an interesting solution. In the second one, we'll be using a plastic bottle to create a rocket structure and use two simple substances to launch the rocket. Now, let's get started!
Jump to Instructions
Time Needed:
45 mins
Materials Required:
Baking soda
Juice of grape/lemon
Paintbrush
Plastic bottles
Vinegar
3 wooden sticks / pencils
Cello tape
Bottle cork
Concept(s) Taught:
Chemical reactions | Properties of chemicals | Thrust
Skill(s) Focussed:
Collaboration
Aligned Profession(s):
Food chemist | Material scientist and engineer
Instructions for students:
Step 0:
Gather the materials required for both the activities and segregate them activity-wise.
Step 1:
For the secret message activity, mix the baking soda with water, and using this solution, students should write their secret message on a piece of paper. Let it dry for some time.
Step 2:
Meanwhile, follow the instructions until 2.05 in the below video to prepare the rocket model and set it aside.
Step 3:
By now, the secret message would've dried. Crush some grapes or squeeze the juice of a lemon and use the juice as the solution to now paint over the secret message. Voila! Your secret message starts to magically appear!
Step 4:
Now that the first activity is over, it's time to launch our rocket! Take the rocket model to open space. Pour some vinegar and add some baking soda to the bottle and seal it tightly. Now invert the rocket such that it stands with the support of the sticks and wait for it to take off! :D
Special Instructions for Teachers:
Explain the chemical reactions
Both the experiments involve certain chemical reactions that cause these changes to occur. Talk to kids about the working of the baking soda with the grape juice in the secret message activity and about the baking soda with the vinegar in the rocket activity to ensure they understand the science behind it.
Take necessary safety precautions
Since the rocket is expected to travel to a height and fall back to the ground, ensure that necessary safety precautions are taken before launching the rocket. Once the rocket is inverted, it takes some time to take off. So make sure once the rocket is placed, kids run a safe distance from the rocket.
Encourage experimenting to make the rocket efficient
The distance to which the rocket travels depends on the weight of the rocket. Make adjustments to the rocket's structure to see how it affects the distance travelled. You can also encourage children to vary the amount of vinegar and baking soda to see if it causes any variations.
Explain the science behind rocket launches
Educate children about the science behind rockets, and also explain how the reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas. And when the pressure of the gas reaches a threshold it pushes the cork out causing the rocket to launch.
Have fun making and share the works of your students with the hashtag #projectprayogshala to get featured!