Have you ever enjoyed watching something lift off into the air, like fireworks at a show or a spacecraft launching? It can be an amazing experience. It is thrilling to see something lift off against the Earth’s gravity. To launch a spacecraft, its rockets give it a strong push that is due to a chemical reaction. This means that every time you see a spacecraft launch, you are watching chemistry at work. In this activity, you will get to blast an object into the air using two simple ingredients—baking soda and vinegar. Investigate how to mix these ingredients to get the best lift-off, and then you could give your friends and family a homemade, gravity-defying show.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn about chemical reactions and the physics of expanding gases in a fun and exciting way.

Requirements

• Min No. of Students:
• Max No. of Students: 30
• Suitable for grade: 4+
• Duration: 90 minutes