Pop Rockets

In this activity, learners make film canister rocket ships. A fin pattern is glued onto the outside of the canister, and fuel (water and half an antacid tablet) is mixed inside the canister. When the water and tablet mix, the acid and base in the tablet react to produce carbon dioxide, and the gas accumulates in the closed container until pressure increases enough to push the "rocket" off of the canister cap and into the air. This activity is messy and should probably be done outside (or at least on floors without carpeting).