Testing Variable - Rockets
Materials:
1. Film canister
2. Water
3. Effervescent tablets
4. Stopwatch
Scientific Question:
____________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis:
____________________________________________________________________
Procedures:
1. Fill the canister about one-quarter full of water.
2. Drop in ¼ of a tablet of effervescent.
3. Immediately close the lid, invert the canister and place on the ground. Start the
stopwatch as you place the canister on the ground.
4. Stand back and wait for the rocket to launch. Stop the stopwatch when the
rocket launches.
5. Record the time in the data table.
6. Repeat two more times.
7. Repeat the experiment for ½ tablet and 1 whole tablet.
8. Clean up and place materials back in the bag.
Data:
Amount of
Tablet
1/4
Trial 1
(seconds)
Trial 2
(seconds)
Trial 3
(seconds)
Average
(T1+T2+T3) / 3
1/2
1
Answer the following questions in your science journal.
1. What is the variable in this investigation?
2. Which tablet has the fastest launching time? Which has the slowest?
3. What happens if you add more water?
4. What other variables beside the amount of tablet can you change to this
experiment?
5. Write a conclusion.