B Barber
Science Coordinator

Partner Primary & Secondary Schools
John Paul, Nazareth, Padua, St John's Reg. Colleges & Partner Primary

Science
Middle Years Science Program - Practical Activities

Middle Years Science Program

 

"Jet Boat" Return to list of pracs

Aim: This activity is used to construct a jet boat out of 1.25L Coke bottles.

Equipment: The equipment includes...  

  • 1.25L drink plastic container;
  • Bicarb of soda;
  • vinegar;
  • cork with a hole through the base;
  • large body of water (eg. bath tub of water etc).

Method: Pour about 3-4 table spoons of bicarb of soda into the base of a 1.25L drink plastic container. Then pour about 200mL of vinegar into the bottle quickly and stopper the bottle with the cork (which has a hole in it). Place the bottle quickly into one end of a bath tub full of water. Watch it propel itself across the bath.

Background knowledge: The reaction between bicarb of soda and vinegar is an acid-base reaction. The formation of carbon dioxide gas results which expands into the bottle. This gas is propelled out of the hole in the bottle (along with vinegar). It can be a very messy business!