Launching Ballpen Rockets
WARNING: THIS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF A SUITABLY QUALIFIED SCIENCE TEACHER OR TECHNICIAN
After a long wait we finally got round to doing this amazing practical!
A rocket was built from an old ballpoint pen case. Fins were attached to the end of the rocket so that it would be more stable in flight. The front of the ballpen was sealed using a glue gun.
Fuel was prepared by careful mixing of sulphur and zinc powders. This was carefully poured into the body of the ballpen.
An ignition system was made using nichrome wire and a match. This was then attached to a power pack by 10m of insulated copper wire. The ignition mechanism was inserted into the end of the rocket.
The rocket was then placed onto a wire guidance mechanism. This ensured that the rocket would fly in a constant direction.
When the ignition system is operated it causes the zinc and sulphur to react and produce zinc sulphide. This is an extremely exothermic reaction (i.e. it releases a lot of heat!). This causes a lot of hot air to be forced out of the back of the rocket thrusting it forward.
Click here to hear the countdown and see the rocket's launch.