Rocket Lab How High Will it Fly? By: Alex Basinger Teacher: Mr. Hendricks Date: December 19 2015 Physies HonorsAbstract The point of the lab was to solidify the students understanding of physics, and to introduce them to some new topics as well. Through a series of experiments that were at times challenging, but we fun at the same time a student could get a better understanding of Physics. In total there were four sets of experiments that a person needs to do, to calculate how high a rocket will go, under a certain engine power. After doing all four of the experiments a student should have a table that looks similar to the one down below. Le dicted! Ac ual white } > te 12 ” om Red/ Ye (% $433." 62.0 mm Rowsilvehlix om 270M Introduction The lab consists of four sections, with each section with a specific goal in mind when each experiment is being done. The goal of the first section was to solidify a student's understanding of impulse. and how to predict a type of engine based on the impulse and the force. The section introduced students to air resistance (drag force), and how great of an affect it can have on objects in motion. The third section introduced students to numerical iteration. which is what the class used to predict how high a rocket would travel since the rocket could not produce a constant force, due to the continual mass change. The fourth section is when the students would actually launch the rockets, and see how accurate there predictions were. In total all for sections of the lab took over two weeks to finish, and write upa report of each sections experiment. This solidified there understanding of: kinematics (the study of motion). dynamics (the study of forces and how they effect motion), impulse (the amount of force exerted during a time period), momentum (the quantity of motion of acertain mass), drag force (the force that is caused by moving through air), drag coefficient (the constant of the drag force). Before going into the labs and theirs set-up, here’s some general information about the rockets, as well as hot to derive the impulse momentum theorem. The rockets, them selves where simple plastic ones with holes at the bottom, this is where the engine can be stored for the launching. Each rocket has a letter and a number on the side of the rocket; the letter represents the impulse that it give of | during it launch, and the number represents the force is excreted by the rocket engine. As for how to derive the impulse momentum theorem, look down below to find out how to do it. [)}Fom Eye eases 2)9 =2 Fs MBX oet a eat = Peotem pv 6 Ft =f A) Ftsnrcyt-vy;)Ae cAP However the numbers that are given for the heights were estimates, since through out each section various assumptions were made to make the math easier for the students, and in all fairness the predictions were only of by a couple meters, which in this case was acceptable. The rest of this paper will explain in greater detail each section, and how each helped to calculate the high of the rockets. Engine Thrust Analysis Before the experiment can begin, some equipment is needed to set it up as the picture depicts down below. to get the best data results. As depicted in the picture below, a guide rail, with a digital force gauge secured to the rail, so that the proper forces can be read. A car that is compatible with the guide rail is also needed, so that there is as little friction as possible for when the experiment begins. Attach an unknown rocket engine, that the teach will provide, onto the top of the car. Make sure that it is securely attached to the car. so that it will not fly off when it is ignited, acs \ > Place an electric trigger, which is pretty much a fancy match that is ignited with an electric current, into the hole at the bottom of the engine; this will be the trigger to ignite the engine. You will need to keep the trigger inside the engine: to do this uses a plastic cap to keep the trigger on the bottom of the engine with the trigger still in it, At the bottom of the trigger you will find two small metal points, this is where you will attach a battery to send a current through to ignite the engine for the experiment. Before the experiment can begin however, a calculator is needed to collect the data from the force gauge for this experiment.