During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a fascination with chemistry. I memorized the entire periodic table of elements on my own and even ordered different chemical powders online to experiment with at home. I was eager to try mixing things together, curious to see the reactions they would create.
While experimenting, I noticed that combining dish soap with certain powders could create a small chemical reaction—a sudden pop sound that I found incredibly exciting. That spark gave me an idea: what if I could use this reaction as a source of propulsion for a rocket?
I first tested the idea with a plastic bottle. To my delight, the bottle shot forward when the reaction occurred. After a few successful trials, I decided to take it a step further. I built a cardboard shell shaped like a rocket and wrapped it around the bottle. I placed the powder at the bottom and secured the liquid at the top, so that when they mixed, the reaction would push the rocket upward.
In the end, the experiment worked—the rocket launched! Although it didn’t fly very high (since I wasn’t fast enough in triggering the reaction), I was thrilled to see my homemade rocket come to life. That moment showed me how curiosity and imagination can turn a simple idea into something exciting and real.
