Today in class, we created our very own rocket motors. Before starting this lab, we learned more about reactions (RXN) and how we can predict future rxns by using the periodic table.
I learned about the Octet Rule. This rule states that the atoms want to get 8 electrons in its valence shell, AKA outer shell. When an element has 8 electrons in the outer shell, it becomes a stable element with a zero charge. The only elements that fit under this category are the noble gases. All other elements must combine with another element and take or give electrons. When this happens, they also must give and take an equal amount of electrons so the charge can be zero. This is where the periodic table becomes in use again because it shows which elements want to give electrons and which elements want to take electrons. It also shows how many electrons the element has.
| To start, we heated a beaker on a hot plate. The beaker was filled with potassium nitrate and sorbitol that our Chemistry teacher gave us. Potassium nitrate is a natural solid source of nitrogen, and sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. This powder combination will be the propellant, AKA rocket fuel. While we waited for the powder to dissolve into a liquid, we prepped the tube that would hold the motor. We used a slim white tube and taped the bottom so the liquid wouldn't spill out. Once this was done, we filled the remaining space with cement. This cement will be the bottom of the rocket. The next step was drilling a hole through the cement bottom, where the fuse will go. |
I think our rocket engine worked very well. We generated a lot of smoke and got the rocket sound we were listening for. This experiment created a combustion reaction. This is when an element loses electrons and another element gains electrons, AKA a redox, and oxygen combines with a fuel to release energy and oxidized products. This resulted into an engine where the chemical energy of the rocket converted to a mechanical energy.
When I was younger, my parents told me I really enjoyed rockets. I've never created my own rocket engine, much less learned the science of it, so I was a little excited for this lab. Although I'm not really interested in rockets anymore, I still thought it would be a good experience to learn more about the chemical reaction. I was surprised by how fairly easy it was to create. I thought there would be a long process of different chemicals and measuring to make sure we would get the correct amount. I was afraid that even if we were a slightly off, the rocket may blow up. (Thankfully, this was not the case.) My group and I worked very well together and equally divided the work so everyone had a part in creating a rocket engine. This lab interested me into rockets more than I was interested in than before. There is also a video attached below. |