Week eight

TOPIC: ROCKETS AND SATELLITES

The word satellite refers to a body orbiting a larger one or a planet. There are natural satellites
(e.g the Earth and other planets orbiting the Sun), and artificial satellites such as;
Communication Satellites (that transmit telecommunication signals), Global Positioning
Satellites (that allow for the identification of locations on the Earth) and Meteorological
Satellites (that monitor weather and climate patterns).

Nigeria satellite includes; Niger-SAT 1 (a disaster-monitoring microsatellite), NICOM-SAT 1

(for mobile phone and internet services. However due to the failure of its solar cells system, the
satellite has ceased to function).

COMPONENTS OF A SATELLITE
All satellites have some common basic components that work together to form the following
systems;
a) The bus (structural framework). Made of either Carbon fibre reinforced
polymer titanium or aluminium
b) Payload (Contains the mission-specific instruments and equipment). It
is the heart of the satellite. It contains
• Cameras and Spectrometers: For Earth observation satellites.
• Communication Arrays: For telecommunication satellites.
• Scientific Instruments: For research and exploration missions.
c) Subsystem (these make up the bus).
• Power generation and distribution system. These include
• Solar Panels: Convert sunlight into electricity using
photovoltaic cells.
• Batteries: Store energy for use during periods when
the satellite is in Earth’s shadow.
• Power Control System: Manages the distribution and
regulation of electricity
• Propulsion system: produce thrust for adjusting the satellite
orbit and orientation
• Thermal control system: maintains components within
operational temperature ranges.
• Command and data handling system: data exchange between
the satellite and ground stations
• Antennas: Transmit and receive signals.
• Transponders, Transmitters, and Receivers: Process
communication signals.
 • Protective shielding: provide additional protection for
electronics.
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) System: position and
orient the satellite accurately in space
• Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS): Adjusts the
satellite’s orientation using sensors and actuators.
• Sensors: Star trackers, sun sensors, and inertial
measurement units (IMUs) provide data on the
satellite’s position and movement.
• Actuators: Reaction wheels, control moment
gyroscopes, apply forces to change orientation.
• Propulsion Subsystems: Small thrusters used for fine-
tuning orbit and attitude adjustments.
• Onboard Algorithms: Software that processes sensor
data and determines control actions.
• Electronics and Avionics (Onboard Computers and Control
Systems): manage satellite operations, including navigation,
communication, and data processing
• Microprocessors and Microcontrollers: Execute
commands and process data.
• Data Storage Units: Store mission data and software.
• Control Software: Manages hardware operations and
system health.

Other components include, rocket fuel, rocket motor, cameras..

ROCKETS:
A rocket is a vehicle that uses thrust to propel itself through the air or
space. Rockets are made up of a variety of components including a launch
vehicle, a payload, and a guidance system.
A launch vehicle: This is the part of the rocket that carries the payload
into space.
A guidance system: This system helps to keep the rocket on course.
A propulsion system: This system provides the thrust that
propels the rocket.
A payload: This is the cargo that the rocket is carrying, such
as a satellite.

Parts of a Rocket

 Structural system: The frame of the rocket, which includes the cylindrical body, fairings,
and control fins
 Propulsion system: Contains the fuel and oxygen, and is where the rocket moves
 Payload system: Contains the items the rocket is carrying, such as a satellite
 Guidance system: Helps guide the rocket, and can include components like radar and
computers
 Propellant tank: A place to put propellant
 Nozzle: A component of a rocket
 Directional stabilization device: Such as fins, vernier engines, gyroscopes
 Aerodynamic fairing: Such as a nose cone, which usually holds the payload
 Centering rings: Circular rings that sit between the motor mount tube and the main body
tube of the rocket
 Engine block
 Motor mount tube: A body tube specifically sized to house the motor
Rockets can also have other components, such as wings, parachutes, wheels, and navigation
systems.

Functions of Rockets: Rockets are used to launch satellites into space. Satellites are used for a
variety of purposes, including communication, navigation, and weather forecasting.

Here’s a concise and clear Physics note for SS3 students on Rockets and Satellites, written in
a classroom-friendly style 👇

Rockets and Satellites

1. Components of Rockets

A rocket is a vehicle designed to move by expelling gases at high speed through a nozzle.
The main parts include:

1. Payload:
o The useful part carried by the rocket (e.g. satellite, astronauts,
scientific instruments, or weapons).

2. Propellant (Fuel):
o The chemical substances (solid or liquid) that burn to produce
hot gases for thrust.

3. Combustion Chamber:
o The section where the fuel burns and produces high-pressure
gases.

4. Nozzle:
o A narrow outlet at the end of the rocket that directs and speeds
up the escaping gases to produce thrust.

5. Guidance System:
o Controls the rocket’s direction and stability during flight using
gyroscopes and sensors.

6. Casing/Structure:
o The outer body that holds all parts together and protects them
from heat and pressure.
2. Components of Satellites

A satellite is an object that orbits the Earth or another celestial body. It may be natural (like the
Moon) or artificial (man-made).
The main parts of an artificial satellite are:

1. Power System:
o Usually solar panels and batteries that supply electrical power.

2. Communication System:
o Antennas and transmitters for sending and receiving data from
Earth.

3. Control System:
o Maintains the satellite’s orientation and position in orbit.

4. Thermal Control System:

o Protects the satellite from extreme heat or cold in space.

5. Payload:
o The instruments or devices the satellite carries for its mission
(e.g., cameras, sensors, transmitters).

6. Structure:
o The frame that supports all other components and protects them
from damage.

3. Functions
Functions of a Rocket

 To launch satellites, spacecraft, or weapons into space.

 To carry astronauts and supplies to space stations.
 To produce thrust by expelling high-speed gases (based on Newton’s
Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction).

Functions of a Satellite

 To orbit the Earth or other planets.

 To collect and transmit information (e.g., weather, communication,
navigation, or military data).
  To relay signals for global communication.

4. Uses of Rockets and Satellites

Rockets Satellites

Launching artificial satellites into Communication (telephone, TV,

orbit internet)

Carrying astronauts and space Weather forecasting (meteorological

probes satellites)

Scientific and military purposes Navigation (GPS)

Space exploration missions Earth observation and mapping

Testing new space technologies Scientific research in space

Summary

 Rockets work on the principle of action and reaction and are used
to launch payloads into space.
 Satellites are objects placed in orbit to perform specific tasks like
communication, navigation, and observation.
Together, they form the backbone of modern space science and
technology.

Would you like me to make this into a classroom handout format (PDF with headers,
spacing, and diagrams) for easy printing or sharing?
Week 9
Topic: Energy and the society
In the human society, the term energy is used as a synonym of energy resources and most often
refers to substances like fuel, petroleum products and electricity in general.

Sources of energy
There are many energy resources now available to the society. These are.
 Petroleum and natural gas (Fossil Fuel)
 Nuclear energy
 Solar energy
 Wind energy
 Hydroelectric energy
 Geothermal energy
 Energy from the coal wood
 Tidal and Ocean
 Biomass

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Resources are those that can be replaced as the used up. They can be
continually replenished as the exploited and utilized.

Examples are
i. Solar energy
ii. Wind energy
iii. Biomass
iv. Tidal Power
v. Water or hydroelectric power
vi. Biofuel

Non-Renewable Energy Resources are those that cannot be replaced as the used up. They
cannot be replenished as they are used up.

Examples are

i. Nuclear energy from radioactive material

ii. Petroleum and Natural gas
iii. Coal and wood
iv. Such other fuel that are classified as fossil fuel.
 WEEK SIX

MAGNETISM

MAGNET AND ITS PROPERTIES

A magnet is any material that is capable of attracting other pieces of the same material
as well as pieces of iron. Lodestone is an iron ore which has the property of attracting
pieces of iron’s substance and is said to be ferromagnetic if it is attracted by a magnet.
Examples are iron, cobalt, Nickel, and certain alloys. Substances which cannot be
attracted by a magnet are called non magnetic material e.g brass, wood, copper, and
glass.

PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS

[Link] ends of a magnet where the attracting power is greatest are called the poles.

2. A bar magnet suspended freely in a vertical plane called magnetic meridian comes to
rest with its axis in the North-South direction. The part which points northwards is called
the north seeking pole or North pole while the opposite pole is called the south pole

[Link] poles of magnet repel each other while unlike poles attract each other.

4. The polarity of a magnet can be tested by bringing both poles in turn nearer to the
known pole of a suspended magnet. Repulsion indicates similar polarity. Attraction could
be due to two unlike pole or a piece of unmagnetized material. Hence, repulsion is the
only sure test for polarity.

MAGNETIZATION AND DEMAGNETIZATION

Magnetization is a process whereby a material is made to become magnetic. This can

be achieved through any of the following methods.

ELECTRICAL METHOD

A cylindrical coil wound with several turns of insulated copper wire is connected in
series with a six or twelve volt electric battery and switch. A coil of this type is called a
solenoid. A steel bar is placed inside the coil and the current is switched on for
sometime. On removing and testing the steel, it will be found to have been magnetized.
It is unnecessary to leave the current for long as length of time makes no difference but
causes over heating. The induce polarity depends on the direction of flow of the current.
Clockwise flow indicates South Pole while an anti-clockwise flow indicates North Pole.

SINGLE TOUCH METHOD

A steel bar is stroke from end to end several times in the same direction with a known
pole of a magnet. Between successive strokes the pole is lifted high above the bar
otherwise the magnetism already induced will be weakened. The disadvantage of this
method is that it produces magnets in which one pole is nearer the end of the bar than
the other.

DIVIDED TOUCH METHOD

Here the steel bar is stroke from the centre outward with unlike poles of two magnets
simultaneously. The polarity produced at the end of the bar. Where the stroking finishes
is of opposite pole to that of the stroking pole.
HAMMERING IN THE EARTH FIELD

Magnets can be made by hammering red hot steel bar and allow it to cool as it lies in
North- South direction.

INDUCED MAGNETISM

When a piece of unmagnetized steel is placed either near or in contact with a pole of a
magnet and then removed, it will be magnetized. This is called Induced Magnetism. The
induced pole is of opposite sign to that of inducing pole.

DEMAGNETIZATION

This is a process whereby a magnet is made to lose its magnetism. Demagnetization

can be achieved by:

1. ELECTRICAL METHOD
The magnet is placed in a solenoid through which an alternating current is flowing. The
solenoid is placed with its axis pointing in the East-West direction. This is the most
efficient way of demagnetizing a magnet.

2. MECHANICAL METHOD
Another method of demagnetizing magnets is to hammer it hard when it is pointing in
the East West direction.

3. HEATING METHOD
When magnet is strongly heated, it loses its magnetism.

TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT MAGNET

Soft iron is pure while steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel is a much harder and
stronger material than soft iron. Steel and iron have different magnetic properties.
Iron is easily magnetized than steel but it readily loses its magnetism. Steel produces a
stronger magnet, which is the reason why steel is used for making permanent magnet
such as compass needle. In temporary magnets, where the magnetism is required for a
short time, iron is used, e.g electromagnets.

MAGNETIC FIELDS

Magnetic field is the space surrounding the magnets in which magnetic force is exerted.
It is a vector quantity and it is represented by magnetic lines. The direction of the
magnetic flux at any point is the direction of the force on a north pole placed at that
point.

In the neighbourhood of two magnets placed closed together, there exist a field in which
the direction of the magnetic flux changes rapidly in a confined space. The magnetic
flux can be obtained by using iron fillings.

Magnetic meridian at any place is a vertical plane containing the magnetic axis of a
freely suspended magnet at rest under the action of the earth field. The geographical
meridian at a place is a plane containing the place and the earth axis of rotation.

The angle between the magnetic and geographical meridian is called the Magnetic
declination. The angle of dip or inclination is the angle between the direction of the
earth magnetic flux and the horizontal.