BLOODHOUND SSC CHALLENGE 2013

1. BLOODHOUND SSC CHALLENGE 2013 Irshaad Parker & Yaaseen Jones

2. Specifications • Design a model scale car • Break land speed record of 89mph • Be able to travel over a 20-25m distance • Any materials may be used to make this model car • Any substances can be used as a propulsion method besides gunpowder

3. Propellant • Because of the reactivity of KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate) and sugar we have decided to use this as our propellant Ingredients 50g KNO3 29g Sugar 1g rust (As a catalyst)

4. Why we chose KNO3 • Cheap • Easy to get (At any pharmacy) • Offers a high thrust • Burns long • Safe mixture (Doesn’t easily spark) • Not explosive

5. OTHER METHODS THAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT • CO2 gas • Elastics • Compressed air

6. Possible Car Designs

7. 1st Attempt • Bottles before they were blown were used to put the liquid mixture • The liquid mixture set overnight until it got hard • Putty was then used to mould the nozzle • A sparkle was put through the nozzle so that it touches the mixture of KNO3 • The bottle was then put in a pipe and the sparkle was lit • Bottle shot out of the pipe

8. 2nd Attempt • CO2 cartridge was punctured to release the gas • A hole was drilled through the cartridge • Crushed KNO3 was put in the cartridge (Filled halfway) and then reheated • A sparkle was put inside the cartridge and the cartridge was put in a test car • Sparkle was lit but car never went far

9. Plan of action • Cartridge therefore have to be filled fully with KNO3 • A more potent mixture should be made • A starting mechanism should be made • A new car should be designed (Original Car during testing)

10. Safety Precautions taken • All testing was done under parental and teacher supervision • Testing was done in a wide open area • Research was done about how the mixture burns • Fireproof gloves, safety goggles and safe clothing was worn while experiment was conducted