WATER BOTTLE ROCKET

PHY05P-I Performance Task

Term 1, A.Y. 2019-2020

General Instructions and Guidelines

As future scientists and engineers of this country and in line with the upcoming operationalization of the Philippine
Space Agency, students are tasked to design and construct a Water Bottle Rocket and Launcher, applying the
concepts from PHY05P-I such as Projectile Motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Conservation of Mechanical Energy, and
Conservation of Momentum.

• Mechanics:
o All PHY05P-1 sections shall demonstrate their project on the MCL field on October 25, 2019 (Friday).

o Each group must have with them their own group’s rocket and launcher. They will be graded based on
the rubrics given below.

o Project demonstration will be in a form of a competition, with the goal of attaining the Longest Range;
that is, the group whose rocket lands the farthest wins the competition.

o The competition will be divided in two stages:

▪ First Stage: Groups from the same section competes with each other.
▪ Second stage: The winning group from each section shall compete with other winning groups
in other sections.

o There will be a designated target area where the rocket must land. If the rocket lands outside the
designated area, it will be considered “out of bounds” and the distance covered will not be recorded.
Field to be considered is about 30 m in width and about 100 m in length.

o Each group will be given 3 attempts to launch their rocket. Thus, the rocket must be made as durable
as possible (if ever the group wins the first stage and would want to use a similar rocket for the second
stage, the group may do so, upon consultation with the respective instructor on the competition day).
The longest (valid) distance covered by the rocket among the trials would be the recorded distance for
the group.

o During the competition, each group shall be the one responsible for refilling their rockets with water
(thus, the group should have a water container with them).

o On the competition proper, team members should have the following roles:
▪ Launch Director (Team Leader) – one who will oversee the launch opportunity; should also
ensure the safety of the crew and the observers during the launch
▪ Launch Crew 1 – person responsible for pumping air into the rocket
▪ Launch Crew 2 – person responsible for launching/triggering the rocket
Note: The crew should have read the launch protocols before proceeding with the launch.
▪ Rocket Retrievers – persons responsible for retrieving the rocket for another launch
opportunity (note that before the retrievers re-acquire the rocket, the distance covered by the
rocket should be recorded first by the competition marshals)

o After the second stage, all winning groups shall be ranked, and would receive additional points for
their project (based on their final rank), as well as a Certificate of Recognition.

o Overall score for the project follows the succeeding rubrics.

• Outputs:
o Water Bottle Rocket:
▪ The rocket should primarily be made up of 2 PET bottles only, such as 1.5 L softdrink bottles
(thus, rocket should be a single stage only). Any other plastic bottles not suitable (such as water
bottles, tumblers) would automatically make the group’s rocket disqualified from the
competition.

▪ Other accessories may be attached to the “rocket”. Such accessories may be part of the rocket
for scientific and/or aesthetic purpose.

▪ Rocket should be launched using ONLY water as the “fuel”. Any other kinds of “fuel” such as
solid propellants (e.g. gunpowder, homemade sugar rocket, etc...) and liquid propellants (e.g.
kerosene, gasoline, etc…) is STRICTLY prohibited.

▪ Making of the rocket should follow the instructions indicated in this guide. In the instructions,
the materials that are recommended (but not limited to) are as follows:
• 2 PET Bottles
• PVC Sheet (or any thin sheet of flexible yet sturdy plastic, such as corrugated plastic,
plastic folder, etc.) – this is for making the fins of the rocket
• Electrical Tapes – for attachment of the parts of the rocket
• Modelling Clay – to serve as ballast for the rocket (to make the rocket stable during
flight)
• Garbage Bag – to serve as cushion for the rocket upon its impact to the ground
• Teflon Tape – to prevent water leaks when the rocket is loaded up with water
• Nozzle (adapter from garden hose – see figure below)

• Tools and equipment:

o Scissors
o Cutter
o Cutting Mat
o Permanent Marker

▪ Any other experimental modifications to the traditional water rocket design should be
consulted first to their instructor.

o Water Bottle Rocket Launcher:

▪ The group should also make a launcher in addition to the rocket itself.

▪ Rocket launcher can be made using the instructions provided; or, the group can make their
own using alternative materials, such as PVC pipes and aluminum square tubes. (Note: Designs
should be consulted with the instructor.)

▪ Requirements:
• Should have an adjustable angle – from 0° to 90°
• Should have a hose connector as slot for the rocket (see figure below).
 • Rocket should be triggered using a bicycle break bar (see figure below).

• Group should have a bicycle pump with them, to be attached to the launcher.

▪ Rocket launcher should be made with as little expense as possible.

o Presentation:
▪ After the launch competition, each group must prepare a presentation to be reported in class
to discuss about their project, the scientific concepts behind rockets, and their experiences in
the competition.
 Launch Protocols

1. As mentioned above, Team Members should have the following roles: Launch Director, Launch Crew, and
Rocket Retrievers.Fill the rocket with water of fixed volume (250 mL).

2. Insert the water bottle rocket onto the launch pad. Make sure that you hear a “click” sound indicating that the
rocket is properly and securely inserted onto the launch pad.

3. Once inserted, you can now vary certain launch parameters.

a. Launch Angle: You can vary the angle per launch. Angles, measured from the horizontal, should NOT
BE LESS than 30° and NOT MORE than 60°. Launch angle of 90° is STRICTLY prohibited.

b. Input Pressure: You can also vary the input pressure per launch. Pressures should only be around
25 psi (pound per square inch). Make sure that the rocket is not triggered to launch when inserting
air pressure. In case of water leaks, use the abort mechanism in the launch pad, remove the rocket, ask
for assistance from your team or launch volunteers to remove the nozzle, fill the rocket with water, and
repeat the launch process.

4. Once the launch parameters have been varied and finalized, the group is now ready to launch the rocket. Make
a decreasing countdown from five to one as a preparation for the trigger. Before triggering the launch, make
sure that no team member (or other observer) is positioned behind the launch area as well as in front of the
rocket.

5. Upon landing, the competition marshals shall check whether the rocket landed within the bounds or not. If
the rocket is within bounds, the distance covered shall be measured and recorded. This would be the case until
the 3 trials are through.

6. Additional protocols may be added/modified by the launch organizers during the competition proper,
depending upon the situation on the launch day.
 WATER BOTTLE ROCKET - RUBRICS
NEEDS
CRITERIA OUTSTANDING SATISFACTORY DEVELOPING BEGINNING
IMPROVEMENT
• The water bottle rocket functions properly, • The water bottle rocket generally functions • The water bottle rocket generally functions • The water bottle rocket functions, but most
considering various factors affecting its flight. properly. Few factors and parameters affecting properly. Some factors and parameters factors and parameters affecting its flight were Not functioning
• The rocket managed to land greater than 50 its flight were not considered/are left out. affecting its flight were not considered/are left not considered/are left out.
ROCKET’S meters from the launch point. (It should be • The rocket managed to land within 36-50 out. • The rocket managed to land within 5-10
FUNCTIONALITY within the bounds.) meters from the launch point. (It should be • The rocket managed to land within 11-35 meters from the launch point. (It should be
within the bounds.) meters from the launch point. (It should be within the bounds.)
(29-30 points) (20-28 points) within the bounds.)
(10-19 points) (3-9 points) (1-2 points)
The water bottle rocket has an exceptionally The water bottle rocket is mostly aesthetically The water bottle rocket is generally aesthetically The water bottle rocket is not aesthetically No effort was made to
ROCKET’S pleasing quality. appealing. appealing. appealing. improve the design of
AESTHETICS the water bottle rocket.
(9-10 points) (7-8 points) (5-6 points) (3-4 points) (1-2 points)
• The water bottle rocket launcher functions • The water bottle rocket launcher generally • The water bottle rocket launcher generally • The water bottle rocket launcher functions.
properly. functions properly. functions properly. • The launcher made the rocket land within 5-9 Not functioning
LAUNCHER’S • The launcher made the rocket land greater • The launcher made the rocket land within 35- • The launcher made the rocket land within 10- meters from the launch point. (It should be
FUNCTIONALITY than 50 meters from the launch point. (It 49 meters from the launch point. (It should be 34 meters from the launch point. (It should be within the bounds.)
should be within the bounds.) within the bounds.) within the bounds.)
(19-20 points) (13-18 points) (8-12 points) (3-7 points) (1-2 points)
The water bottle rocket launcher has an The water bottle rocket launcher is mostly The water bottle rocket launcher is generally The water bottle rocket launcher is not No effort was made to
LAUNCHER’S exceptionally pleasing quality, likening to being aesthetically appealing. aesthetically appealing. aesthetically appealing. improve the design of
AESTHETICS a “real” launch pad. the launcher.
(9-10 points) (7-8 points) (5-6 points) (3-4 points) (1-2 points)
• The group exhibits cooperation and teamwork • The group exhibits cooperation and teamwork • The group exhibits cooperation and teamwork • The group exhibits cooperation and teamwork The group does not
before and during the competition. before and during the competition. However, before and during the competition. However, before and during the competition but needs exhibit cooperation and
• Each team member knows his/her role during there were few members that are not there were some members that are not continuous prompting. teamwork and members
the competition proper. cooperating and needs occasional prompting. cooperating and needs occasional prompting. • Few team members know his/her role during of the group do not act
TEAM • All team members are helping and proactive • Team members generally knows his/her role • Some team members know his/her role during the competition proper. even when prompted.
COORDINATION towards accomplishing the group’s goal. during the competition proper. the competition proper. • Few team members help towards
• Most team members are helping and • Some team members are helping and accomplishing the group’s goal.
proactive towards accomplishing the group’s proactive towards accomplishing the group’s
(9-10 points) goal. goal. (1-2 points)
(7-8 points) (5-6 points) (3-4 points)
• The group has an exceptionally clear and • The group was able to present clearly and in • The group was able to present in an organized • The group has a presentation, but it is mostly The group has a
organized presentation – including member an organized manner. manner. lacking and unclear. presentation.
roles, experiences about the project, etc.,, • The Physics of Rocketry has been mostly • The Physics of Rocketry was somehow • Members does not have a rapport.
• The Physics of Rocketry has been discussed discussed. discussed.
PRESENTATION clearly and completely. • Members show good rapport. • Members show rapport.
• Members show good rapport and was able to
answer questions from the panel.
(14-15 points) (3-5 points)
(10-13 points) (6-9 points) (1-2 points)
PEER Group and individual evaluation points, when averaged, are added to the total points.
EVALUATION Maximum of 5 points, but overall score for the team member may be drastically changed if he/she is given 0-1 point in the evaluation and has a negative comment about him/her.
 WATER BOTTLE ROCKET
PHY05P-1 Performance Task
Term 1, A.Y. 2019-2020

GRADING SHEET

SECTION / GROUP LAUNCH DATE GROUP SCORE

CRITERIA GROUP SCORE

ROCKET’S FUNCTIONALITY Distance 1: Distance 2: Distance 3:

ROCKET’S AESTHETICS

LAUNCHER’S FUNCTIONALITY

LAUNCHER’S AESTHETICS

TEAM COORDINATION

TOTAL

GROUP MEMBERS

AVE. PEER GROUP FINAL

ROLE NAME PEER EVALUATION SCORE PRESENTATION
SCORE SCORE SCORE

Launch
Director

Launch
Crew 1

Launch
Crew 2

Rocket
Retriever

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