Bottle Rocket Project
Physics Page
Our rocket was affected by Newton’s first law of motion. It did not continue moving in a straight line for constant speed because there was air resistance and gravity to effect it on the way up. Force from gravity and air overcame the force of the rocket when the pressure from the water and air was spent. In a perfect environment with no gravity or air resistance the rocket would go forever, accelerating until the rocket used up all of its pressure. It would then stay at a constant speed. The acceleration in both environments would stop because the water would leave, there for taking away the pressure in all directions. On the way down our rocket would have kept falling in an environment with no air resistance with constant acceleration. Objects will increase velocity as they continue to fall, however the air resistance or drag on objects continues to increase as velocity does, and eventually these two factors reach a balance in which case the acceleration will no longer increase. Another factor that stopped our rocket was the existence of the earth which created a force powerful enough to stop the rocket from falling. Our rocket was also affected by Newton’s second law of motion. Our rocket was acted upon by the force of the pressure being unequal when the trigger was pulled, causing the rocket to accelerate up. The net fore was no longer zero because the downward pointing vector was released. There was no longer equilibrium so the force of the upward facing vector made the rocket accelerate. It accelerated because the more unequal it got the stronger the upward vector’s force was, in comparison. Another factor that determined the acceleration of our rocket was the mass. As mass increases acceleration decreases. Our rocket was not that massive and it helped it fly very high the first time. Our Rocket was affected by Newton’s third law of motion in the sense of an equilibrium being broken. When the Rocket was fully charged force was pushing in every direction when the valve was released the only force without something to act against was the upward vector this unbalance then let the rocket fly. Calculations for my rube Goldberg
1. Velocity of domino track: .04426 m/s 2. Momentum of the Marble: .00227 kg*m/s 3. Hang time of marble dropping on mouse trap: .19s 4. Mechanical advantage of our lever: .145 5. Mechanical disadvantage of our lever: .914 meters of mechanical disadvantage 6. Potential energy of washers: .205 joules |
Rocket Reflection
I was impressed by the experience I had during this exhibition. I began this project doubting my ability to build a rocket at all, or even to enjoy doing so. When I started thinking of a simple design for my rocket with my partner Lia, I found myself getting into a rocket with a partner that I enjoyed, and shared a level of engagement with. I thought this project was fun and pushed me to think creatively. I learned to accept how my rocket was, and had fun with it. I found myself growing proud and attached to my rocket as I kept building it, and at exhibition and beforehand I loved launching it. I now am very curious on the physics of rockets and am ready to learn about what makes them successful or not. My rocket flew much higher than I thought it would. The simple design of the medium length shaft made off smart water bottles, made our rocket light and arrow dynamic. The pressure chambers sealed design of one soda bottle made our rocket durable and tough. The fins we had were smart water bottles with the tops and bottoms cut off glued to the side of the pressure chamber. This design helped our rocket fly higher. I think because of the little air resistance and weight. I was very happy with the fins. We had trouble with making our rocket straight as we glued the shaft to the pressure chamber. It was quit the situation but in the end it made for a good name and a good laugh. This mistake brought out curiosity in me on how the rocket was to going to fly. It turned out that the rocket still flew very straight; until we changed the nose cone. Our original nose cone was made out of duct tape rapped around Styrofoam it was a perfect shape weight and material. The new nose cone was made of hard paper. I think the original nose cone worked better because it was heavy enough to keep the rocket stable, and cut the air as it went up. A paper nose cone was easily thrown around especially on a windy day! We decided to change the nose cones because a paper nose cone was easier to come off and deploy the parachute. This however did not work either. I would love to find and improve a better nose cone and parachute. The gluing of a straight rocket would also be something I would like to work on. It would be fun to experiment with a new type of shaft for our rocket. I am now very curious about what makes rockets work. I want to know what fins improve the speed of a rocket and the stability. I want to know why a longer rocket makes it go higher. I want to know how people have thought of the rocket design. I am interested in the different fuels people use and the overall physics of motion and propulsion. In hind sight of the creation of my rocket I am very happy I got to experience this project. I loved working with Lia she was supportive of me when I was gone, and a great person to work with. I am proud of the “Leaning Tower” and all the creative art, energy and laughter we put into it. I am looking forward on improving my work and expanding my knowledge. These are the calculations for my Rube Goldberg, a contraption that used a chain reaction to start a coffee grinder.
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