Science in Action
G. HOW IT WORKS
As you pump air into the bottle, the air rises through the water and gets squeezed into the
top of the bottle. The pressure inside the bottle gradually builds up. Eventually the pressure
becomes so high that the bung is pushed out. Now the air pressure pushes the water out of
the bottles neck at high speed.
The rocket lifts off because of a science principle called action and reaction. Because the
bottle is pushing water downwards (this is the action), the water pushes the rockets upwards
(this is the reaction). So the water pushes the bottle upwards, and it zooms into the sky.
H. WHAT'S NEXT
The connector is specially designed to fit most soft-drinks bottles. You can use different size
plastic bottles for the experiment. You could record what happens with different bottles on a
sheet of paper. Does the rocket fly higher if the bottle is bigger? Does the rocket go higher or
lower with more or less water?
Important Remarks:
Use only plastic soft-drinks bottles, which can withstand high pressures. Never use glass bottles.
I. FUN FACTS
The principle of action and reaction is one of three famous laws of motion (which tell us how
objects move when we push or pull on them). In fact, it is the third of these laws. It states that
for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Which means if you push on some-
thing (the action), it pushes back (the reaction, which always pushes in the opposite direction
to the action).
The laws of motion were first written down by the famous English scientist Isaac Newton
(1643-1727). They are sometimes called Newton's laws of motion.
Newton's first law states that an object stays still or continues at same speed and in the
same direction unless it is pushed or pulled by something.
Newton's second law states that the force on an object is equal to the object's mass
multiplied by its acceleration (how quickly it is speeding up or slowing down).
A real rocket work in the same way as your Water Rocket. But instead of pushing out water,
a real rocket motor pushes out gas. The gas is lightweight, but it comes out of the rocket's
nozzle at incredible speed (more than a kilometre per second).
Using the principle of action and reaction, a rocket engine can lift a rocket weighing
hundreds of tonnes, using just high-speed gas.
Some motor boats and personal water craft have water jet propulsion instead of propellers.
The propulsion system sucks up water and fires it out of a nozzle at the back of the boat at
high speed. This pushes the boat forwards.
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Aircraft jet engines also use action and reaction. They push a stream of gases backwards
that pushes the aircraft forwards.
D. ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLING THE ROCKET
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ASSEMBLING THE EXTENSION PLATSIC PIPE
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10. If your rocket falls over accidentally when you are pumping, stop pumping at once. Discon-
This is not a toy. This is intended to be
an educational kit which demonstrates nect the plastic tube from the pump (not from the bottle) to release the air pressure inside
a science principle in a fun way. All the bottle. You will see the water pumping out from the plastic tube. Never look from above to
assembly and operation of the project check a pressurised rocket as it may fly off at anytime.
should be done and supervised by an
adult or age 14 and up . Read all
instructions before you start. 11. Do not try to collect the rocket when it is descending after the launch. Watch at it
carefully when it is falling. Collect it only after it is landed.
A. SAFETY MESSAGES
12. Be patient with the launch. If you have any problems, it is always a good idea to stop what
1. This kit is intended for children aged 14 years and over. you are doing and check everything before you do a launch. Use your common sense to avoid
any dangerous situations.
2. This rocket is not a toy. The air inside the bottle reaches high pressure, and the rocket
reaches high speeds when it launches. Adult supervision is required throughout assembly and C. CONTENTS
use. It is recommended that you always ask an adult who has experience of launching a water
rocket to help during launching. Follow the safety checklist below to ensure a safe launch
every time.
3.This kit and its finished product contain small parts which may cause choking if misused.
Keep away from children under 3 years old.
B. ROCKET LAUNCHING SAFETY CHECK LIST
1. Check the surrounding area before launching. Choose a large open space, if possible where
the rocket can land on soft ground (e.g. a grass football pitch). Never launch the rocket in a
densely populated area or from under a power cable. Dont launch near trees.
2. Don't launch the rocket on a windy day. The wind will blow the rocket to one side, and carry 1 x plastic bottle (rocket body) 4fins(One for spare)
the falling rocket far from the launching spot.
3. Make sure any spectators are aware that you are going to launch a rocket. Tell people to
watch the rocket all the time so they can get out of the way when it lands.
4. Dont put flammable liquids in your water rocket. 1 x fin support 1 x bung
5. Never use a glass bottle for launching. Use only the plastic bottle included in this kit or
plastic bottles which are used for soft drinks. These bottles are designed for high pressures.
1 x bung connector 1 x pump connector 1 extension plastic pipe
6. Check all parts are assembled correctly as shown in the instructions. Check if any part has
been damaged after every launch. If you find any damaged parts, or the rocket is not Also needed but not provided, a bicycle pump with thumb lock fits Presta/French valves
assembled properly (especially the fins), do not launch the rocket. Call or email our customer
service department for replacement parts.
7. Never point the rocket at any person or animal. Only launch the rocket vertically. We QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
recommend that you wear protective goggles during launches. We value you as a customer and your satisfaction with this product is important to us. If
you have comments or questions, or you find any part of this kit missing or defective, please
8. Check that your rocket is placed on a firm and flat surface before launching. Also make do not hesitate to contact our distributor in your country. You will find the address printed
sure you do not pull on the plastic pipe as you pump, as this may cause the rocket to fall over. on the package. You are also welcome to contact our Marketing Support Team: Email:
infodesk@4m-ind.com, Fax (852) 25911566, Tel: (852) 28936241, Web site: WWW.4M-
9. Never stand over the rocket as you pump air into it. Always stand as far back as you can. IND.COM
Always warn any spectators before you start pumping.
2011 4M Industrial Development Limited. All rights reserved.
E. OPERATION LAUNCH
SETUP
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 Science in Action
This is not a toy. This is intended to be
an educational kit which demonstrates
a science principle in a fun way. All
assembly and operation of the project
should be done and supervised by an
adult or age 14 and up . Read all
instructions before you start.

C. CONTENTS

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS

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D. ASSEMBLY E. OPERATION LAUNCH

4. Stand the water-filled rocket on a level surface. Place the pump as far from the Water
ASSEMBLING THE ROCKET SETUP Water Rocket as possible without pulling on the plastic tube.
1. Slide the short, straight edge of 1 1. You need a big outdoor space,
a fin into one of the slots in the fin away from any buildings, where 5. Begin to pump, being careful not to pull the rocket over. You should see air bubbles rising
support. Make sure the fin is the you can launch and collect your through the water inside the rocket. Keep pumping carefully, until ... woosh! The bung should
correct way up and that it is firmly Water Rocket safely. Before you come out and your Water Rocket should zoom upwards, showering water behind it.
installed. Repeat with the other two prepare for launch, make sure there Watch out when the rocket is falling. Collect the rocket only when it has landed. Check that all
fins. are no other people or animals parts are intact and try again. There is a spare fin included in the kit to replace any fin that
around. gets bent or broken.
2. Screw the fin support onto the neck Important Remarks:
of the bottle. Make sure it is tightly 2. Pour water into the bottle until the Your Rocket should blast off when the air pressure reaches about 40-50 PSI. However, this only a reference, as
screwed on. water reaches the second water-level 2 the launch pressure depends on factors such as how tight the bung is and how much water is in the bottle.
line on the bottle.
Stop the pumping at once if your rocket falls over accidentally when you are pumping. Disconnect the plastic tube
3. Push the bung, with its plastic tube from the pump to release the air pressure inside the bottle. You will see the water pumping out from the plastic
attached, firmly into the neck of the Water level tube. Never look from the above to check the rocket as it may fly off at anytime.
bottle. (You can invert the rocket so
2 that its top is against the ground, and
push the bung down with your body
weight). Make sure the bung is
straight, and is not tilted to one side,
then you will get a better launch. 5
ASSEMBLING THE EXTENSION PLATSIC PIPE
3. Push the bung connector down into the hole of the bung. You may use a pencil or a long
stick to help pushing the connector in. Afterwards, push one end of the plastic pipe to the
bung connector.
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4. Now take the pump connector. The two ends have different patterns of ridges (one with
ridges further apart than the other). Insert the end with the ridges further apart into the end
of the plastic pipe. Insert the other end (with ridges closer together) into the pump, and close
the pump latch to secure it. Your Water Rocket is ready to go!

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F. TROUBLESHOOTING

If your rocket does not fly, check that the bung is installed firmly. Also check that there are
no leaks in the pipe or in the bottle.

3 If the rocket does not go very high, check that the bung is pushed firmly into the rocket body.