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The Magic of Pressure and Water: How to Launch a Rocket Using a Simple Drink Bottle?
With the popularization of scientific knowledge, many people have begun to explore the fun of rocket launches. As a simple and interesting scientific experiment, water rockets not only attract the attention of young people, but also allow them to learn the basic principles of mechanics and energy conversion. The rocket is launched primarily through a combination of water and compressed gas, and is widely popular for its simple and readily available materials.
Water rockets are a type of rocket that uses water as a reaction mass, which helps us understand how Newton's third law works.
Basic operating principles of water rockets
The basis for operating a water rocket is to use a beverage bottle partially filled with water and pressurized with compressed gas. Typically, these gases come from devices such as bicycle pumps, air compressors, or cylinders and can reach pressures up to 125 psi. This involves a principle of gas storing energy, which allows the water to release a huge propulsion force at the moment it is sprayed out, pushing the rocket into the air.
According to Newton's third law, after the water is quickly expelled, the rocket will fly upward.
Design and elements
The design of the water rocket can use single or multiple beverage bottles as pressure vessels. Single-bottle designs are most common with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink bottles. Multi-bottle rockets are connected in different ways, which can increase the propulsion time, but also increase the weight of the rocket, so the balance of the design needs to be considered.
In addition, the sources of gas also vary, such as using compressed air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. These gases are quickly released as the pressure decreases, thus pushing the rocket upward.
Nozzle and stability
The nozzle of a water rocket does not have the divergent part of a traditional rocket. Depending on the size of the nozzle, the thrust of the rocket will vary. Large diameter nozzles provide rapid acceleration but short propulsion time, while small diameter nozzles provide longer propulsion time. In order to maintain flight stability, a stabilizer wing can be installed. When the propellant material of the rocket gradually decreases, the center of gravity will move downward. At this time, adding a stabilizer wing can reduce the risk of instability.
Stabilizer wings help maximize the rocket's flight height and distance.
Launch Procedure and Competition
Before launching a water rocket, you need to prepare the launcher. Some launchers use launch tubes, which can effectively convert compressed gas into kinetic energy, thus improving launch efficiency. As technology advances, water rocket competitions around the world are gradually increasing, such as the Oscar Svighoff Prize in Wells and the National Physical Laboratory Annual Water Rocket Challenge in the UK.
Global water rocket altitude competitions and flight duration challenges attract many students and space enthusiasts to participate.
World record challenge
In the development process of water rockets, many records have been set one after another. For example, the Royal Academy in Colombo launched 1,950 water rockets simultaneously in 2017. There is also the height record set by Japan's water rocket in Hokkaido, which makes people admire the progress of technology and the cohesion of the team.
The water rocket world record demonstrates the endless possibilities of creativity and scientific exploration.
Final Thoughts
As people's understanding of water rockets deepens, this activity becomes not only a science experiment for children, but also a way for adults to reminisce about the fun of childhood. Whether in science classes at school or during outdoor recreation at home, water rockets bring fun and inspiration. Are you ready to embark on this journey of discovery?
