Rocket Science and Physics

Functions of rocketry were developed through many years of trial and error Functions of rocketry were developed through many years of trial and errorHypothesis: If we make a rocket that will fly higher than the Campanile, then the rocket’s center of mass will have to be located higher than the center of pressure.

Thrust: Solid or liquid combustion must travel straight down for rocket to fly straight up. This applies Newton’s Third Law of Motion Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

Newton’s Second Law of Motion also applies to rocketry Newton’s Second Law of Motion also applies to rocketry Newton’s Second Law of Motion: F=ma (Force=mass*acceleration) In rockets, propellants make up to 90% of a rocket. In flight propellant is lost (m), so that acceleration increases(a)

Flight Control: Fins help stabilize rockets during flight, giving them direction. 3s and 4s (symmetrically separated) are most effective. 5 is too much drag. Rocket Launcher: Gives rocket initial direction and thrust

The rocket launcher was built using following materials: Wood Wood Corner Brace Corner Brace Mending Plate with screws Mending Plate with screws Galv FLR Flange Galv FLR Flange Rubber stopper Rubber stopper MIP Hex Nipple (brass MIP Hex Nipple (brass High pressure air hose High pressure air hose Dowel Dowel Cast Female Pipe Tee (brass) Cast Female Pipe Tee (brass)

Screw flange into wooden base Screw flange into wooden base Attach each brass nipple to each end of the tee Attach each brass nipple to each end of the tee Insert pressure air hose so that it goes through each end of the tee Insert pressure air hose so that it goes through each end of the tee Insert barb splicer into hole Insert barb splicer into hole Drill and stand wood block to base (use braces to sustain) Drill and stand wood block to base (use braces to sustain) Drill wooden block on opposite end Drill wooden block on opposite end

2-Liter empty plastic bottle 2-Liter empty plastic bottle Cardboard Cardboard Hot Glue Gun Hot Glue Gun Tape Tape Scissors Scissors Clay Clay Water Water

1)Cut out and tape cone to bottom end of bottle 2)Cut out and attach (use hot glue gun) fins into upper end of the bottle 3)(Ran “string test” to test stability and direction of rocket)

These were the steps taken in running our experiment: Place rocket launcher right in front of Berkeley Campanile Place rocket launcher right in front of Berkeley Campanile Fill up rocket with different amounts of water Fill up rocket with different amounts of water Insert Rocket into rocket launcher Insert Rocket into rocket launcher Insert different quantities of pressure Insert different quantities of pressure Detach string from hook and cable tie Detach string from hook and cable tie Record (very roughly) how high each rocket went (based purely on eyesight) Record (very roughly) how high each rocket went (based purely on eyesight)

Rocket Launch#1: Volume: 70% total mass of bottle Pressure: 50 psi Height: 4th Window of the Campanile

Rocket Launch #2: Volume: 75% total mass of bottle Volume: 75% total mass of bottle Pressure: 80 psi Pressure: 80 psi Height: Clock Height: Clock

Rocket Launch #3: Volume: 75% total mass of bottle Pressure: 90 Height: TOP OF THE TOWER!!!!!!

Rocket Launch #4: Volume: 65% total mass of bottle Volume: 65% total mass of bottle Pressure: 90 Pressure: 90 Height: HIGHER THAN THE TOWER!!!!!! Height: HIGHER THAN THE TOWER!!!!!!

Because our (Juan and Luis’) rocket had its center of mass more obviously located above the center of pressure than the other rocket, our experiment supports the notion that this rocket setup is best.

A rocket whose center of mass is higher than the center of pressure is more likely to fly higher than one that is very roughly positioned equally or in which the center of pressure is located higher than the center of mass. A rocket whose center of mass is higher than the center of pressure is more likely to fly higher than one that is very roughly positioned equally or in which the center of pressure is located higher than the center of mass.