Make a potassium nitrate sugar rocket

From OpenTutorial
Jump to navigation Jump to search

In this tutorial we will learn how to Make a Potassium Nitrate Sugar Rocket, safely and easily with commonly found items.

In use

NOTE: This page is currently undergoing a major edit. As a courtesy, please do not make edits to this page while this message is posted, in order to avoid edit conflicts.

What you will need

  • Potassium Nitrate
  • Sugar
  • 3/4" PVC pipe
  • Pipe cutter
  • Kitty litter
  • Hammer
  • Tamper or dowel
  • Kitchen scale
  • An electric coffee or spice grinder (optional)
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • an empty jar
  • A 1/4" x 18 inch dowel
  • a 4 inch long 1/16" diameter drill bit
  • A felt tip marker
  • Duct Tape
  • Fuse
  • Metal pipe to serve as a launcher
  • Scissors or knife for cutting fuse


Where To Find Potassium Nitrate

Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) or Salt Peter can be found at your local hardware store as stump remover. You can also find it online (see external links) Make sure that it is potassium nitrate because there are other stump remover products that do not contain potassium nitrate.


Prepare the Fuel Mixture

  • The ratio you want to mix is 60% KNO3to 40% Sugar by weight.
  • Measure XXX grams sugar
  • Measure XXX grams KNO3
  • Optionally you can grind the sugar and KNO3 SEPERATELY using a coffee grinder (the finer the better the burn)
  • Place both powders in the jar
  • close jar and shake to mix thoroughly


Making the Rocket

  • Using the pipe cutter cut the PVC pipe to a length of 5 inches
  • Mark the outside of the pipe on both ends at the 1/2 inch mark
  • Stand the tube upright on a hard surface
  • Pour about a teaspoon of kitty litter in the pipe
  • Tamp down the kitty litter in the pipe until compressed
  • Add another teaspoon and tamp down repeat until the kitty litter is completely compressed in the tube up to the 1/2 inch mark
  • Add about 2 or 3 tablespoons of fuel mixture
  • Tamp the fuel mixture into the tube adding a few tablespoons at a time
  • Continue filling the tube until you reach the other 1/2 inch mark


Setting the Fuse and Assembling

  • Carefully drill through the center of the tube for the full length of the drill bit
  • Tape the tube to the long thin 1/4" wooden Dowel
  • Cut a 6" length of fuse
  • Bend 1/2" of the fuse over on itself and insert into the hole you drilled as far as it will go


3-2-1 Blast Off

  • Burry a length of metal pipe into the ground
  • Place the rocket into the pipe. Make sure it's pointed away from anything
  • Light Fuse, run away and watch!


Warnings

  • Fire is very dangerous be very careful
  • Do not ever launch rocket at anyone or anything
  • Only launch rocket in an open area, where the chance of accidental fire zero
  • Obey all applicable laws. If it is illegal for you to make then don't do it
  • Be responsible!


Bibliography

TODO


Amazon's Related Products

TODO


See Also

TODO

Retrieved from "https://opentutorial.com/index.php?title=Make_a_potassium_nitrate_sugar_rocket&oldid=3308"