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Our exhibit “Hydrogen Rocket” demonstrates Newton’s 3rd law – also called the interaction principle. The law states that forces always occur in pairs: If an object A exerts a force on object B, then object B must exert a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction back on object A.
In an interactive and playful way, the “Hydrogen Rocket” illustrates this complex physical phenomenon. By turning a wheel, visitors produce electricity that drives an electrolysis cell to extract hydrogen from purified water. In an explosion, the generated hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air again and catapults the rocket into the air.
Especially children are fascinated by the mechanics of the exhibit, whose development took us almost five years. “Hydrogen Rocket” succeeds in getting young people excited about science and shows the role that design and technology can play in paving the way for more engagement in science.
Our hydrogen rocket has received international awards. The prestigious Chinese Association for Science and Technology CAST has awarded the exhibit with the first prize for popular science work in 2018. Anyone planning a visit to the Middle Kingdom can experience the rocket first hand at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing (CSTM).
