The Rockets in action
We built our first rocket with great care and it took a long time to make. It was very sturdy and aerodynamic. After a few test flights, we found the sweet spot of the perfect amount of water to put inside our rocket, 650 ml. Although our parachute only deployed twice, our rocket probably went the highest in the class every time. On one launch the rocket went a little to high and tilted in the air and shot all the way to the senior high roof (shown in the video at the bottom of the page).
From there we had to build another rocket to launch, but it ended up having a hole in it so we couldn't launch it. We then made two ANOTHER rocket plus one more just in case. These rockets
From there we had to build another rocket to launch, but it ended up having a hole in it so we couldn't launch it. We then made two ANOTHER rocket plus one more just in case. These rockets
The Launching of the rocket/ Flight info
Bottle I: The Parachute
4.7 seconds of flight ... 450ml of water (parachute deployed)
3.8 seconds .... 650ml (parachute didn't deploy)
5.1 seconds ... 650ml (parachute deployed)
6.6 seconds ... 800ml (didn't deploy)
5.7 seconds ... 650ml (did not deploy)
Bottle II: The Glider
Couldn't launch because it turn out the bottle had a hole in it.
Bottle III: The Glider 2
3.4 seconds ... 750 ml
Bottle IV: The Glider 3
2.7 seconds ... 650ml
4.7 seconds of flight ... 450ml of water (parachute deployed)
3.8 seconds .... 650ml (parachute didn't deploy)
5.1 seconds ... 650ml (parachute deployed)
6.6 seconds ... 800ml (didn't deploy)
5.7 seconds ... 650ml (did not deploy)
Bottle II: The Glider
Couldn't launch because it turn out the bottle had a hole in it.
Bottle III: The Glider 2
3.4 seconds ... 750 ml
Bottle IV: The Glider 3
2.7 seconds ... 650ml
The Launching Processes
Once the rocket was ready for flight...
We measured the amount of water that we thought was right to put in the bottle, then we filled up the bottle with a funnel.
Once it was our group's turn to launch, we went up to the launcher and attached the bottle.
(The bottle gets pressurized on the launcher by having pressurized air pumped into the bottle with water in it. It can only be done with a soda bottle because it can handle large amounts of pressure.
One group member held down the button which was for pressurizing the bottle, while everyone else in our group stood of to the side wearing safety goggles filming.
Once the bubbles had stopped inside the bottle, it was done pressurizing and it was time to fire.
We then counted down from three, pressed the launch button and watched the rocket soar up into the air.
We measured the amount of water that we thought was right to put in the bottle, then we filled up the bottle with a funnel.
Once it was our group's turn to launch, we went up to the launcher and attached the bottle.
(The bottle gets pressurized on the launcher by having pressurized air pumped into the bottle with water in it. It can only be done with a soda bottle because it can handle large amounts of pressure.
One group member held down the button which was for pressurizing the bottle, while everyone else in our group stood of to the side wearing safety goggles filming.
Once the bubbles had stopped inside the bottle, it was done pressurizing and it was time to fire.
We then counted down from three, pressed the launch button and watched the rocket soar up into the air.
Design Brief
Carbonated Bottle:
2.2 cm nozzle opening
Can Be Constructed With:
A nosecone
Decoration
Fins
Adhesives
Recovery system
Can't Be Constructed With:
Super glue or hot on the main body of the bottle
Pre-fabricated parts for the purpose of the rockets
Anything made with metal
Requirements:
Must be able to fit on the launcher
may not come apart during the launch or upon impact.
The bottle’s integrity may not be changed in any way
Do not paint or place anything inside the bottle except water
Leave a window near the nozzle/opening of the bottle
Can't cut the bottle that's the main body of the rocket
Nothing else but water can be used to propel the rocket
No pyrotechnics, pressurized gases, or remote control will be allowed
The rocket may not exceed 3 meters in length
2.2 cm nozzle opening
Can Be Constructed With:
A nosecone
Decoration
Fins
Adhesives
Recovery system
Can't Be Constructed With:
Super glue or hot on the main body of the bottle
Pre-fabricated parts for the purpose of the rockets
Anything made with metal
Requirements:
Must be able to fit on the launcher
may not come apart during the launch or upon impact.
The bottle’s integrity may not be changed in any way
Do not paint or place anything inside the bottle except water
Leave a window near the nozzle/opening of the bottle
Can't cut the bottle that's the main body of the rocket
Nothing else but water can be used to propel the rocket
No pyrotechnics, pressurized gases, or remote control will be allowed
The rocket may not exceed 3 meters in length
Materials
The fins were made out of bendy school folder that we cut up into the shape of fins (3 fins were used)
The nosecone was an orange field cone.
The parachute was a cut of garbage bag into the same shape as a skydiver's parachute (rectangular)
The nosecone was an orange field cone.
The parachute was a cut of garbage bag into the same shape as a skydiver's parachute (rectangular)
The Concepts
Newtons 1st Law:
the rocket wanted to keep going because it of inertia, but the air resistance and the roughness of the ground slowed it down.
2nd Law:
We tried to make our rocket have little mass, then it would not need a lot of force from the water to make it go fast and accelerate.
3rd Law:
Action: the water getting shot out of the rocket
Reaction: the water pushes the rocket forward
Sliding Friction:
The nozzle sliding out of the launcher and the parachute sliding against the nosecone to deploy.
Fluid Friction:
The water coming out of the bottle at high speeds.
Gravity:
The force of gravity acting against the bottle to bring it back down to the ground
the rocket wanted to keep going because it of inertia, but the air resistance and the roughness of the ground slowed it down.
2nd Law:
We tried to make our rocket have little mass, then it would not need a lot of force from the water to make it go fast and accelerate.
3rd Law:
Action: the water getting shot out of the rocket
Reaction: the water pushes the rocket forward
Sliding Friction:
The nozzle sliding out of the launcher and the parachute sliding against the nosecone to deploy.
Fluid Friction:
The water coming out of the bottle at high speeds.
Gravity:
The force of gravity acting against the bottle to bring it back down to the ground
Conclusion
The unit on the bottle rockets was really fun. I really enjoyed building these rockets, launching them, and working with a group to get it done, and I'm sure the rest of the class did as well.
Photo Gallery
the designs
Launch 1 | |
File Size: | 3539 kb |
File Type: | m4v |
Launch 2 | |
File Size: | 4192 kb |
File Type: | m4v |
Launch 3 | |
File Size: | 5443 kb |
File Type: | m4v |
Launch 4 | |
File Size: | 4019 kb |
File Type: | m4v |
Launch 5 | |
File Size: | 4091 kb |
File Type: | m4v |
Launch 6 | |
File Size: | 3088 kb |
File Type: | m4v |