How to Build a Bottle Rocket

Bottle Rockets are funny and very entertaining. They are also pretty easy to make on your own. Let's see a few tips on how to build a bottle rocket, starting with what you will need in the process.

Things you will need: A bottle of water (1,5 lt is pretty good size), Duct tape, Fins, Nose cone. If you do not know what kind of material to use for the fin, check cardboard or sign material; both are quite good and solid enough.

Steps to Build a Bottle Rocket

• Take the bottle and turn it upside down. Place it somewhere secure to keep it stable while working on it.
• Cover the surface of the rocket with duck tape. Do not overlap though, because you don't want it to weigh a lot on the bottle.
• Use the duck tape to tape the nose cone on the top of the bottle -- not the side you use to drink from it.
• Cut the fins, but make sure that they are of the same size and draw lines on the material. Use the scissors in order to facilitate the process and follow the lines carefully cutting the fins. You will probably need to put some pressure, but take it slowly so as to cut them off properly.
• If you feel like decorating your fins do so, otherwise use the tape to adjust them on the bottle. Tape them tightly until you feel they are stable and secure enough.
• If you don't want to use duct tape, use rubber cement to tape the fins on the bottle.
• Measure the center of gravity -- do this carefully because it's of significant importance. You can check it placing your hand under the bottle; when you feel the bottle balanced you can determine the center of gravity easily.
• You can choose to make your own launching mechanism, although you can find an air pump and hose clamp easily in any store.
• When you finish the bottle try to see if it flies straight up. If it doesn't, use more fins to lower the center of pressure, or use longer fins. This should solve any problems you might have.