Introduction to Water Rocket

Making a water rocket is a practical demonstration of the construction and working of rockets.  Anyone can make their own water rocket by using simple household materials like plastic bottles, electrical tape,  polythene bags, etc. It is an interesting project and explains the working and aerodynamics of a rocket that uses pressurized air and water as fuel.

Material Required to make a water rocket

To make a water rocket, you will need the following material,

Carbonated Bottles

To make a water rocket, 2 carbonated bottles will be required: one is for the body of the water rocket and the other for the skirt of water rocket. Fins will be attached to the skirt. The advantage of these bottles is that they do not burst under high air pressure. Bottles with less design and curves are used to minimize weak points in bottles.

Plastic File

Fins of water rockets are made with the help of plastic files. One file is enough to make fins. They help rockets in flight by cutting the air around. Do not use cardboard, card sheets, or paper fins as they will get wet, bend or tear apart by water.

 Polythene Bags

The shock absorber is made with the help of polythene bags which will save the rocket from being damaged when it hits the ground. It is filled in the head of the rocket.

• A Pair Of Scissors.
• Electrical Tape.
• Marker.
• A Ruler.

Steps to make Water Rocket

Water rocket construction consist of 3 parts. The parts are Nose cone, skirt and fins. The making of each part, its significance and importance is described as under:

Making Of Nose Cone

The nose cone is one of the important parts in the making of a water rocket. It helps in the flight of the rocket due to its aerodynamic shape by minimizing air drag or resistance which opposes the rocket's motion. The polythene bags filled in the cone work as a shock absorber when it returns to the ground

 

Making Of Skirt

The Skirt gives the proper shape to the rocket and we will attach the fins on it. Another carbonated bottle or plastic file is used for making it. Divide the circumference into 4 equal parts and attach fins to it with equal spacing.

Measuring and cutting of skirt for water rocket

Wrap the skirt around the bottle and divide the circumference in four equal parts and mark on it

The fins are the most important part of water rocket that are used for controlling the direction and minimizing the air drag around the rocket while flying. It also provides stability to the rocket to keep flying without being tumbled or wobbled in the air.

Measurement of water rocket fine

Measurement of water rocket fine
From the opposite side, mark 1.5 inch and make a diagonal to the width

Separate the fins from the sheet and cut them out carefully along the marks with the help of scissor

Cut the 1 inch division along the length of the fin up to 1 cm mark and bend the cuts in alternative manner.

Attach the fins to the skirt on the marked line with the help of tape in such a way the diagonal must be point towards the nose cone

The water rocket is ready for flight now.

Watch Video:

See Also:

Water rocket construction

Make a Water Rocket for Competition

Making of Water Rocket

PET Bottle Water Rocket

Download Water Rocket Manual