Salters’ Festival teacher activityMini-Custard rockets

H2 + 1/2O2 H2O

Chemistry outreach

Reactive mass rocketThe fuel mixture ignites

releasing energy.

This energy is converted into kinetic energy and

shared between the rocket and ejector fluid.

Mini-rocket goes up

Ejector fluid goes down

Plus lots of energy 286 kJmol-1

Make mini-rocket prepare ejector liquid

Set up rocket launcher

custard Baby oil

O2

H2

Prepare Rocket

Fuel

Transfer Fuel to mini-rocket

Place rocket on pre-prepared launcher

Use the 1 mL syringe to load ejector fluid into the rocket by removing some of the fuel.

Remove any excess ejector fluid from launcher.

Transfer the prepared rocket to launch area.

Adjust the launch angle and connect the ignitor wires.

Check the launch area is clear and

LAUNCH

Potential variables for pupils to exploreLaunch angle Length of mini rocket.Ratio of ejector fluid to fuel

Types of ejector fluid, custard, baby oil, water etc

The assumption that the mixture of gases that produce the loudest noise is the best rocket fuel.

Types of fuel (only suggestions not tested yet)Hydrogen, oxygen.Hydrogen ,air.Methane, oxygen.Methane, air.Ethanol (whoosh bottle)