Custard rockets: Indoor rockets utilising plastic pipettes (travel about 8 m)

Fun Activity involving the use of mini-rockets (plastic Pasteur pipettes ( 3 mL) with various fuel mixtures and ejector liquids. Fuels trialed Hydrogen / Oxygen and Methane (natural gas) / oxygen mixtures. Ejector fluids Baby oil .. a bit messy but easy to use and thick custard (starch) 50% m/v with water. The custard mix gives the best results. Loads as a liquid and ejects as a solid (non-Newtonian dilatant behaviour) giving a better partitioning of the energy between the projectile and ejector fluid (mass).

The activity can be run as an open ended exploration with older students or a fun demonstration/activity with younger students ( year 9 +). it is a very good use for the hydrogen and Oxygen generated from an Hoffman voltameter reinforcing the fact that a lot of energy is required to break down water.

This has been used as an exciting demonstration on open days and with groups of scouts etc.

Included is an editable instruction booklet, (A5 d/s) and introductory power point slide show which could be modified to suit requirements along with an example risk assessment foe an open ended year 12 practical 1.5-2hr . In addition there is a video link (QR code to a video outlining the activity produced by year 10 work experience students ca 2012 when I worked at Reading University.