Reaction Rocket

Study the dynamics of potential energy converting to kinetic energy with this simple and fun science experiment.  Position the rocket on the rubber ball's straw, dangle the ball from any height, and let it fall onto a hard surface.  Gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic energy on the way down, and briefly converts back to potential energy in the rubber ball before converting back to kinetic energy in the opposite direction as the rocket launches into the air!  Note how much higher the lightweight rocket flies than the ball and rocket combination fell!  It's a great study of potential and kinetic energy and the conservation of momentum! And it's just a lot of fun for any age from grade school on up!