Jake Levi

Experiment to Find the Optimal

Design for a Carbon Dioxide
Propelled Torpedo
Purpose
To design and create, from pipettes and tape, a torpedo that can traverse a 1.5m water trench. The
torpedo must be propelled by Acetic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate.

Background
The understanding of molar quantities was necessary, as the dilution of 17M Acetic acid to
usable 2M acid was an important step. An ability to predict the products based on the reactants,
in order to find the optimal amounts of each reactant, was imperative. An understanding of the
concept of pressure was also necessary in order to understand how the torpedo was to be
propelled.

Lab logs:

4/21
o The lab was explained, and my lab partner, Hunter, got started. I was absent.
4/23
o Hunter explained the lab to me, and we discussed designs. We tested the idea of
fusing the end of a pipette together using matches, and decided to create a
separate projectile and launcher. (See diagram 1)

4/27

Jake Levi
o Hunter was absent, and I worked on his design that he created in the 2nd period. It
didnt work, due to the fact that the pressure was leaking. I tested it again with
different quantities of baking soda and vinegar to confirm this.

4/29
o We decided to use a larger pipette as the projectile, in order to hold more fuel. We
tried again to fuse the ends of the pipette together, but the result was still a failure,
due to the baking soda not reacting completely, leaving a lot remaining. (See

diagram 2)
5/01
o I was absent, and Hunter experimented with different quantities of sodium
bicarbonate and acetic acid.

5/05
o We experimented with changing the size of the exhaust hole, in order to
concentrate the pressure, but it failed. (See diagram 3) I still think the issue lies
within the quantities of fuel we are using, but am unsure how to create a complete

reaction. Maybe placing the baking soda in solution will help.

5/07
o I was absent, and Hunter experimented with different quantities of sodium
bicarbonate and acetic acid.

5/08
o The idea of using pressurized cylinders was hatched today! This would allow for
the pressure to be stored, and would ensure that there would be no failures at
launch time.

5/13

Jake Levi
o The pressurized cylinders idea was prototyped, but we did not have enough time
to test it. (See diagram 4)

5/19
o The quantities of fuel were measured and mixed inside the cylinders, but when the
pressure was created, the tape did not hold, and the cylinder exploded.
5/21
o Hunter had the idea of using a paperclip as the launch mechanism. This would
allow for easier launching. I was absent for the second period, and Hunter began
preparations for the final launches. Due to my absence, I did not see this design.

5/22
o I was absent, and Hunter completed the trials.

Jake Levi

Diagrams

Jake Levi

Analysis
Trial

Mark (/20)

13

14

13

14

17

16

14

19

Avg

16

We received extra credit for a reusable design.

Jake Levi
The final design of the torpedo was chosen in order to ensure that it would not react prematurely,
and to ensure the maximum distance of the projectile. I was not present during the creation or
discussion of the final design, so I cannot add specific detail regarding it.
I had to make 1 litre of 2M acetic acid from 18M acetic acid. This was important because 18M
acetic acid would be far too dangerous for student use, and as such, must be diluted for this
experiment.
1.
2.
3.
4.

18M=18 moles in 1L
18/9=2M
1/9=0.1111
Take 0.1111 litres of 18M acetic acid, and dilute with 0.8888888 litres of water. This will
produce 1 litre of 2M acetic acid.

Error Analysis
The torpedo was not started exactly at 0m, due to the fact that it would be very difficult to launch
at that point. This caused all data to be positively skewed. It is also possible that, during
launching, the student may have accidentally added force onto the projectile, adding distance to
their score.

Conclusion
The purpose was partially achieved, in that we made a projectile, but it could not reliably travel
to the end of the 1.5 metre trough. In the timeframe provided, I believe that the design we created
was reasonable, and whilst not being perfect, was a very competent effort at the task.