Welcome to Rocket Research 101

Propulsion - Questions

Do I have to use water?
Why can’t I just use pressurized air?

Let’s go to the simulator and try!

Add air (increase the air pressure) to the pop bottle and Launch to see the thrust produced.

NOTE: Most pumps (such as a bicycle pump) read out pressurized air in pounds per square inch (lb/in², or PSI). In science the metric system is preferred, where pressure is measured in Newtons per square meter (N/m²) also known as "Pascals" (Pa).

How do you convert from PSI to Pascals? Learn how.

Click here to access the Simulator.

Now:

What happens if I add Water?
Is more water better?

Back to the simulator!

Try different amounts of water and air pressure and log the results.

Click here to access the simulator.

Conclusions:

Which gave the fastest speed, water or air?

a) water
b) air