We used to break up a alka seltzer tablets into a 35 mm film canisters with a little bit of water, shake well, put the cap on tight, turn it upside down on the ground, stand back, count to ten and it will take off like a rocket 30 or 40 feet in the air.
FUN STUFF
Al

http://wm.kusa.gannett.edgestreams.net/n......s-4p.wmv

My son did the mentos/diet soda trick at a family picnic a year ago and it was a big hit.

I never heard of the alka seltzer trick, I'll have to tell my son about that one.

I love the mentos trick. Wait untill you see the alka seltzer explosion. The tighter the cap the bigger the explosion.

Do you just use one tablet or how many do you use?
Do you break it up in quarters or how small or big must the pieces be?

It has been a while, but as I recall you smash up 1/2 alka seltzer tablet, with a little water, and shake it well. It will not work with a loose lid. I suggest you try a couple experiments before you do it at a party. If you stand too close you will get wet.

Wrap some baking soda in aluminum foil then put it in the canister, fill the canister the rest of the way with lye. The stand back, far back, lye plays hell with your eyes.

Josh
Is that what happened to your hair?

No, my wife lit the bed on fire one night.... well you know, they get grumpy sometimes.

I can't believe this last post.....see you in the e.r.

They haven't posted since the 28th. hmmmmm

Yes that post was in bad taste.

Knew this guy in college (late 60's early 70's) who was always wanting to find some way to get a cheap high. So one night we were all hanging together and this guy with a reputation for getting high told him, cover 6 alkaseltzer with peanut butter, swallow them whole, then chug a beer. Wonder how high that launched him? I heard a rumor he not only tried it but was stupid enough to tell people he did.

Father Photius
I also always wonder what became of those after shave lotion drinking, get high on over the counter medication fellows that we all remember from our youth. I guess they were just not into life for the long haul.

Does anyone know how to get a quarter into an Alka Seltzer tablet? I thought it would be cool to make a quarter appear after it vanished in the water ala Tarbell.

Here's an alternative to using the Alka Seltzer tablet film cannister rocket...

Use the film cannister as per usual, but instead try adding a squirt of electronics coolant spray. This is the stuff that is sprayed onto electronic items when you're soldering them to cool them down quickly. It used to be available from Tandy / Radio Shack, but as all the Tandys have closed down in the UK (apparently), then it would be something like Maplins etc...

Spray the stuff into the cannister and quickly put the lid on. The ambient air temperature heats up the liquid until it expands with sufficient force to launch the rocket.

Beware - these babies go much further than the AS rockets.

I have a problem with that method. When you do it with alka Seltzer, and water I can't get away fast enough to avoid the spray, so a dangerous liquid would not be a good idea.

That is not in the spirit if the bible . . . if I may say.

I think that Father Photius is a much better priest because of the naughty things that he did back in college 45 years ago.

If you visit the Huntsville Space and Rocket Museum, NASA is still using the Alka-Seltzer and 35mm film container to make kids rockets. Some things are just too Classic to ever go away.


(and let him who is without sin cast the fir..OWW! OWW! OWW! NOW CUT THAT OUT!)

Alka seltzer rocket rock. I work as science communication and as part of my job went in to a youth affender prison to run a work shop. I introduced my self then did the rocket those things were a hit every one got involed.

Yeah you can do bigger nd better things but these work as it is somthing any one can get and do.