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How Water Rockets Are Made

Educators have used water rockets for years to teach children aerodynamic principles. How to Make Rockets website says water rockets utilize a compressed gas substance or an air pump to turn the water inside the bottle, or body, of this aircraft, into fuel that propels the device into the air. The material of choice for the vessel is usually plastic for safety reasons; the designer avoids the risks of using a glass bottle, namely the breaking of a glass pop bottle, during a launch or a landing, causing injury to bystanders.

Body
- Begin the construction process by making the body of the rocket. Use a plastic, 2-liter soda pop bottle filled with water. Due to the large size of these bottles, they are the main choice for this type of project. Water Rocket Manual.com points out the size of the body determines how high the rocket goes, and how long it remains in the air.
Nose Cone
- The nose cone requires no assembly, as it is already on the bottle, being the bottom part thereof. Its function, according to the NASA website, is to improve the aerodynamics, or performance in flight, of the rocket. A body that is not aerodynamically sound does not last too long in the sky, for the laws of gravity exert its pull force on the rocket quickly, causing it to fall out of the air sooner.
Nozzle
- Install the nozzle into the top of the bottle. Take a rubber stopper and, using a needle as a firing pin, pierce a hole in it. Attach this pin to the launch rope. The nozzle's function is to activate the flight of the bottle, acting like a cork on wine. Once the launch rope is pulled, releasing the firing pin, the rocket is ready to fly.
Fins
- The fins for the body, according to NASA, provide stability to the rocket. Cut out pieces of cardboard paper, usually from a manila folder. According to the Aircommandrockets website, this paper must be stiff for the fins to do their job. Glue them on one-by-one, and wait for the glue to dry after each application.

Astronomy