Mad Science Fair - Rocket Car Fueling

Rocket Car Fueling

This assembly was fueled with powdered NaHCO3 and a solution of 5% CH3COOH in DHMO, reacting to produce NaC2H3O2 and H2CO3. The H2CO3 dissociates promptly and vigorously to yield H2O and gasseous CO2, with the latter contained to give an overpressure which in turn is used to expel liquid reaction mass and so generate impulse for propulsion of the vehicle (ref. Newton's Third Law).

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This image copyright © 2000 John H. DuBois III
This gallery created on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 • 1 of 68 images displayed