Rocket Launch Experiment: How Much Baking Soda is Ideal?

In Billy and Bob's rocket launch experiment, they are investigating how the amount of baking soda added to vinegar will affect the height at which the rocket launches. This type of experiment involves manipulating one variable (independent variable) to observe its effect on another variable (dependent variable), while keeping other factors constant (controlled variables).

Independent Variable:

The independent variable in this experiment is the amount of baking soda added to the vinegar. Billy and Bob will vary the quantity of baking soda to determine its impact on the rocket's launch height. By changing the independent variable, they can measure how it influences the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable:

The dependent variable in this experiment is the height of the rocket launch. This is the variable that Billy and Bob are observing and measuring to see how it is affected by the different amounts of baking soda. The height of the rocket launch will change based on the amount of baking soda used.

Controlled Variables:

• The type of baking soda used: To ensure consistency, the same type of baking soda should be used for each rocket launch.
• The type of vinegar used: Using the same vinegar for all experiments will eliminate variability due to different vinegar compositions.
• The size of the rocket bottle: Using identical rocket bottles ensures that the container volume does not impact the rocket's launch height.
• The amount of time for the reaction: Allowing the same time for the baking soda and vinegar to react before launch maintains consistency.
• Wind conditions: Keeping wind conditions constant ensures that external factors do not influence the rocket's trajectory.

In conclusion, by controlling these variables and manipulating the amount of baking soda added to vinegar, Billy and Bob can accurately test their hypothesis and determine the ideal conditions for launching a rocket to achieve maximum height.