PURPOSE: To demonstrate the third law of motion.
DESCRIPTION: Air is compressed in the rocket by means of a pump; when the air is released, the rocket rises by a small amount. If a small amount of water is poured into the air compartment and air compressed in the rocket to the same pressure as before, the rocket will rise very high when released. Due to its greater mass, the water exhaust has more momentum than the air; thus more reaction force is applied to the rocket by the exhausting water.
SUGGESTIONS: ONLY used in large Lecture Halls. BE CAREFUL where you aim the rocket!
REFERENCES: See Demonstration Reference File for a number of articles on various aspects of rocketry.
EQUIPMENT: Water rocket with water, as photographed.
SETUP TIME: None.
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