Making Sugar Rockets

04/17/15

Today in class, we started making small rockets! The teacher was really excited for making them, and now I understand why.
Class notes
Chemical RXNs: A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances change into one of more new substances. Chemical RXNs invoke energy. Energy is either absorbed (endothermic) or given off (exothermic)

Materials

• Sugar
• Potassium Nitride
• Paper
• Aluminum Foil
• Fuse
• Tape
• Skewer Stick
• Scale
• Dowel

Equation

5C12H22O11 + 48KNO3

 26% or 337g       74% or 101g          

How we started making the rockets was get a dowel and wrapped around paper. The paper was folded in half and twisted on one time around the dowel, not to tightly but enough to hold. Then we taped the paper around and cut of the extra paper that did not have the tape around it. It would be around 2 inches. Then we took out the dowel and out aluminum foil around one end. Pound the aluminum down with the dowel to have a cap. The foil should be pounded nicely, it shouldn't be able to come out of the bottom. You have now made a motor for your rocket.

Now, mix 337g of Potassium Nitrate, and 101g of Sugar together. Make sure you don't mix them with a blender. It is flammable. I suggest mixing them with a herb grinder bowl. When you mixed them together, pour them into the motor all the way. Then with the dowel slowly put it in, when you reached the bottom, pound it so it can be packed in tight. Take another piece of foil and put that on the other side of the motor. Pound that in too, then fold the end and tape it.

On the other side of the motor, the one we started with, use a dowel to drill a hole in the center of the foil until you see the powder. (Hand drill it in) Then in the hole put a fuse. After that you grab the stick and tape it to your rocket. Like seen on the left.

The video is my rocket beginning launched. I was so proud of myself that it actually went up in the air. Even if it was just for a few seconds up in the air, I'd say it's pretty good for a first try. 

What I learned in this experiment is that following instructions perfectly is very important. One mistake can ruin your experiment. But I also gained confidence in myself and my work. I trusted myself in making a rocket.  If a person doesn't have self-confidence in themselves, then things won't work out.