Stevens 1

Rocket Lab
Gus Stevens
The Academy for Math, Engineering and Science
Physics A2
Doug Hendricks

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Abstract
The rocket lab is a series of experiments that demonstrate a practical application of key
concepts in physics. The goal of the lab was to predict the maximum height of a rocket and
compare the prediction to the results from an actual launch. To predict the height of a rocket
experiments were conducted to calculate the drag coefficient, and engine impulse and thrust. The
data that was collected over the course of three experiments was used to create an approximate
prediction of the rockets maximum height. A total of five launches were conducted and from the
launches two provided viable data. The first launch had a maximum height of 48 meters with a
predicted height of 63 meters. The second launch had a maximum height of 67 meters with a
predicted height of 78 meters.
Introduction
The rocket lab was an experiment to predict and test the height of launched rockets. The
lab is very important because it requires a culmination of knowledge in the field of physics. To
accurately predict the height of the rockets knowledge in kinematics and dynamics is necessary.
Kinematics is the study of motion, and dynamics is the study of forces that cause motion, within
these studies the terms impulse, momentum, drag force, and drag coefficient were important to
create an acute prediction. Impulse is force time and was important in determining the force of
the engine over a time interval. Momentum is the measurement of motion for an object and is
defined by mass velocity, momentum is important in determining the velocity of an object, and
is very important due to the impulse momentum theorem. The impulse momentum theorem
proves that Ft=P.
Since F=ma, a=v/t, Impulse = Ft, and P=mv the theorem can be proven:
=

=
=
=

The impulse momentum theorem is very helpful in determining the velocity of the rocket and its
height. The drag coefficient is an equally important number that has to be determined for
accurate predictions. The drag coefficient is used to determine the drag force on the rocket. The
drag coefficient is important because the downward drag force plays a large role in how high the
rocket will travel.
In the experiment five launches were conducted. Three different rockets were launched
with an A8, B6 or C6 engine. The different engines have a different impulse and average force.
An A engine has an impulse of 2.5Ns, B engine 5.0Ns, and C engine 10.0Ns, and the number

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preceding the letter specifies the average force. For example a C6-5 engine has an impulse of
10(C) an average force of 6N and a 5 second delay before the parachute is deployed. The delay
number is important but it is not necessary for the lab because all engines provided sufficient
time for the rocket to climax. Predictions were made for nine different rocket/ engine
combinations, however only four variations were tested. To predict the height of the rockets the
flight time was broken into small fragments. Because the thrust force varies which directly
effects the drag force calculations for the entire flight would be too complex, so the flight was
broken into 0.1 second increments. An average thrust force and constant drag force could be
calculated for the small time interval, making the total height calculation possible. The technique
of fragmenting a complex problem is known as numerical iteration and it permits for accurate
results to problems that cannot be solved with a single equation.
Engine Thrust Analysis
The first step in the process of predicting the height of a rocket is to determine the
impulse and force of a rocket engine, and also collect the thrust data for an engine. By collecting
the thrust data of an engine during this lab the data could be used in the Numerical Model lab to
calculate the average thrust force for the 0.1 second intervals which is critical to calculate the
maximum height. To determine the impulse, average force, and thrust data the engine was
ignited, in a box (rocket), on a horizontal plane. The rocket touched a force meter that measured
a pushing force as negative. When the rocket was launched the force data was relayed to a
calculator.
Before the experiment a calculator was prepared to collect information from the force
meter. To record the information the calculator was connected to a CBL system, which was
connected to a force meter. The CBL allowed the calculator to collect the information and the
Data Mate program sampled the data. Before programming the calculator the force meter was
calibrated so that the Data Mate program read 0N when the gauge was at rest. The Data Mate
was then programed to sample data every .10 seconds over a 3 second period. To initiate the
sampling program a threshold was set at -0.5N, meaning that the program would start when the
meter read a force -0.5N. A 10% pre-store was also set so that data from .3 seconds before the
trigger would also be saved. The rocket was then attached to a trolley on a low friction track.
Here is a picture of the experimental setup:

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The engine was ignited by connecting two alligator clips to a battery and a two pronged piece of
metal that held a piece of phosphorous. When the battery was turned on the electricity in the
metal prongs caused the phosphorous to spark and ignite the engine.

Upon ignition the calculator was triggered to sample data every tenth of a second for
three seconds. With the data from the Data Mate program a force time was created. A graph
and table with the thrust results can be seen below. Since impulse=Ft then the area under the
graph is the impulse. Because the graph is not geometrically shaped the area was separated into
31 different rectangles, with a height of y (force) and a base of 0.1 seconds. By calculating all of
the areas and adding them together an accurate approximation for the area under the curve could
be made. The area under the curve/impulse equaled 8.5374 Ns. A C engine has an impulse of 10,
and a B engine 5, since 8.5 is closest to 10 it can be determined that a C engine was used.

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Because the F in the impulse equation represents the average force it can be solved with
the known impulse: Impulse =Ft so F=impulse/t. To find the force 8.5374 was divided by the
time that the rocket fired. As seen in the graph the rocket didnt have a large output for the
entirety of the 3 second test, a lot of the data points arent even one Newton so the engine only
produced a significant force for 2.0s. 8.5374Ns/2.0s= 4.26 N and this number rounded is 4, so it
can be determined that the average force of the rocket is 4N, the second number on the engine
represents the average force, so the experimental engine is most likely a C4 engine.
The type of engine was determined, but most importantly thrust data was collected for the
C4 engine. However, it was actually a C6 engine that was fired. It can be seen that the impulse
and average force are less than the actual value. The discrepancy most likely occurred due to
manufacturing imperfections that produced a C6 engine without enough gunpowder, or the force
gauge could have been incorrectly calibrated. Both problems could have impacted the results, so
for the height predictions thrust data from the manufacturing website was used. Data from the
manufacture can be found in Appendix A. The data from the manufacturer was calculated by a
series of precise tests, and is far more accurate than the data collected from this experiment.
Drag Force Analysis
At high speeds, such as that that a rocket will travel, air resistance becomes an important
factor that impacts the rockets flight. To accurately determine the height of a rocket air resistance
needs to be accounted for, to do that it is necessary to calculate the drag coefficient of the rocket.
To determine the drag coefficient the rocket was placed in a wind tunnel and the effects of the
wind were measured.
To determine the drag coefficient for the rocket it was placed inside a wind tunnel. The
wind tunnel pulled wind across the rocket, and the protractor behind the rocket allowed the angle
of displacement for the rocket to be measured. The wind tunnel is a large, and loud machine that
uses a fan to pull air through a honey comb screen to create a 32m/s laminar wind field. The
honey comb screen is important because it reduces turbulence in the machine and it creates the
laminar field. The rocket was hung vertically inside the wind chamber, when the wind tunnel
was turned on the effects of the wind could be observed, and the angle that the string moved
could be recorded. The angle of displacement can be used to determine the drag coefficient.
Below is a picture of the wind tunnel with rocket inside:

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A 61 gram rocket was tested in the 32m/s wind and the string moved 30. With the 30
the drag coefficient could be calculated with the known fact that the force of air is proportional
to the velocity squared. By adding a coefficient to the proportionality it is proven that Fd=Kdv2
To find the drag coefficient Kd, the coefficient, had to be solved. To solve for Kd the forces
acting on the rocket were identified. With forces identified Newtons 3rd law, F=MA was used.
Because there were two unknowns F=ma had to be solved in both the x and y direction. The
equation in the y axis was solved for T so that T could be substituted into the equation of the x
direction.
Here are the calculations for Fd:
=

+ () = (0)

+ () = (0)

In laminar field a=0

sin() = 0
cos()

=30

m=0.061kg

()
=
cos()

v=32m/s

() = 0
() =
=

cos()

By substituting for T a single equation could be solved for Fd, which Fd=mgtan. This equation
could then be used to solve for the drag force in the wind tunnel situation, however the singular
drag force is unnecessary and it would be better to solve for Kd by setting Fd=mgtan equal to
Fd=KdV2.

= 2 () =
2 = ()

()
2

(0.061)(9.80)tan(30)
(32 /)2
2
= 0.000337 2

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The drag coefficient is 0.003 with consideration of significant figures. It was also
necessary to determine the drag coefficient of the larger white rocket. Since the large rocket was
to be launched it was important to calculate its drag coefficient, however it was too large to fit
into the wind tunnel. Since the rocket could not fit into the wind tunnel a ping pong ball of
similar circumference, and the Kd the red/yellow rocket were used to approximate the coefficient
of the larger rocket. The ping pong ball was placed into a wind tunnel with a wind speed of 12
m/s. The 12m/s wind displaced the angle of the ball by 73. The angle measure was then used to
calculate the Kd of the 2.3g ping pong ball. Since all of the same forces are applied to the ping
pong ball as with the rocket it remains true that Fd=mgtan().

= 2 () =
2 = ()

=73
m=0.0023kg
v=12m/s

()
2

(0.0023)(9.80)tan(73)
(12 /)2
= 0.000518

2
2

Due to the open surface of the ping pong ball its Kd will be larger than the big white rocket. The
white rocket has an aerodynamic shape like the red rocket, but is slightly larger, so it is a logical
assumption that the Kd of the white rocket is between the Kd of the red rocket and ping pong ball,
so Kd=0.0004 for the white rocket.
Numerical Model
Before the rockets are launched a mathematical prediction needs to be made about how
high they will fly. The height predictions are what will be tested when the rockets are launched.
There are three different rockets with three different possible engines so predictions for all of
them needed to be made. To quickly make the predictions an Excel spreadsheet was created to
perform the calculations.
Because the thrust force varies over the course of the flight time the problem was too
complex to solve with one calculation, this problem was addressed by fragmenting the flight into
.10 second time intervals. Simplifying a complex problem by fragmentation is known as
numerical iteration. The technique of numerical iteration made it possible to assign average
forces over the .10 second intervals. By creating small time intervals the average force was used
to calculate the air resistance, net force, impulse, initial and final velocity, average velocity, and

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final height. Because the flight was separated into small time intervals the result is relatively
accurate.

The Excel spreadsheet was used to calculate the values quickly. The Excel spreadsheet
was used for efficiency, however the calculations are simple. If the mass of the rocket + engine
and drag coefficient are known then a series of physics equations will predict the height over the
time interval. For example the red/yellow rocket has a mass of 0.0054kg and a drag coefficient of
0.0003, with physics of motion and the impulse momentum theorem the final height and all of
the values in the table above can be calculated.
To solve for 0-0.1 s with a B6 engine the thrust data from the manufacturer is needed.
The experimental results from the manufacturer show that the thrust at 0s is 0N and the thrust at
0+6.0
0.1s is 6.0N. The average( 2 ) of the two thrust values gives an average thrust of 3.0N for the
0-0.1 time interval. Because the rocket isnt moving the Drag Force is 0, however at higher
velocities the drag force becomes a large factor in the net force. Because there isnt a drag force
to find the net force subtract the force of gravity from the thrust force, 3.0-(0.054)(9.80)=2.44N.
If 2.44N is the average force than the average impulse is tf, 0.12.44=0.244. The average
impulse will be helpful to determine the final velocity of the rocket. Based on the impulse
momentum theorem impulse= p or mvf-mvi. This means that 0.244=(0.054)(vf)-(0.054)(0(the
initial velocity is 0)) so vf=(0.244)/0.054 which equals 4.28 m/s. If the final velocity is 4.28 then
the initial velocity can be added to calculate the average velocity, in this case the average
(4.28+0)
velocity is 2 /2 = 2.14, the average velocity is 2.14. D=rt can be used To find the final
height for the time interval, d=rt, r=2.14 at t=0.1 d=(2.14)(0.01),so the final height from 0-0.1s is
0.21m.
For the second row the same calculations are performed except the thrust values are
different yielding an average velocity of 8.0N. Because there is an initial velocity/ the rocket is
moving over this time interval there is a drag force. Fd=KdV2 is used too find the drag force,
since the drag coefficient of the rocket is known all that needs to be done is to multiply Kd by v2.
The initial velocity for this time interval is the final velocity from the previous row. This means
that Fd=(0.0003)(4.28)2 which gives a drag force of 0.01. The drag force is then incorporated in
the calculation for the net force on the rocket, and the impulse momentum theorem is used to
calculate the remaining values. The height is again calculated with d=rt however the height from
the preceding row needs to be added to reflect the total height from 0 to that time interval.
Since the calculations were the same for each row a spreadsheet was created with the
same calculations to produce answers for the important values. With the spreadsheet it was easy
to locate the maximum height of the rocket. All that was needed was the thrust data, mass, and
drag coefficient of the rocket and then spreadsheet could calculate the height for every interval.

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However, in the time intervals past the maximum height the data is useless because the
spreadsheet was programmed to input the drag force as a negative magnitude however in the
rockets decent the drag coefficient is positive so those data points are false. Appendix B contains
a sample spreadsheet for the yellow/red rocket with a B6 rocket that is predicted to reach a
maximum height of 133 meters which is highlighted in the red cell.
These are the height predictions for the nine rocket variations:
Rocket
Red/Black
m=78g
Kd=0.0004

Big White
m=71g
Kd=0.0004

Red/Yellow
M=39g
Kd=0.0003

Engine
A8 m=15g
B6 m=18g
C6 m=24g
A8
B6
C6
A8
B6
C6

Predicted Height
24m
67m
180m
28m
75m
196m
63m
133m
181m

The spreadsheet could also be used to determine the significance of air resistance in the
lab. If 0.000 is entered for the drag coefficient then the results vary significantly for example the
Big White rocket with a C6 engine has a predicted height of 196m, but the same rocket, ignoring
air resistance, has a maximum height of 404m. Those are very different answers so it is
incredibly important to include air resistance in the calculation for maximum height.
Because the flight was fragmented into small time intervals the predictions are relatively
accurate. To generate more precise results smaller time intervals could be used, however, for this
lab, a tenth of a second should suffice. The calculations are slightly erroneous however, the
averaged forces are inconsiderate of the complete thrust values during the entire flight. Also the
change in mass due to expelled fuel was ignored. Since a constant mass was used throughout the
entire launch the results will vary from reality. Lastly since we only have one significant figure
the error bars for the predicted height is significant. The drag coefficient for the three rockets
only has one significant figure, meaning that there is actually a range of viable drag coefficients
for each rocket. The red/black rocket has a drag coefficient of 0.0003, the single significant
figure means that the red/black rocket could have a Kd between 0.00025 and 0.00035. The range
of drag coefficients means that there is a range of maximum heights for a given rocket. For
example the red/black rocket with a B6 engine has a range of 69-73 meters.
Flight Results
This experiment was the final phase of the rocket lab. The goal of the launch experiment
was to collect actual height data to compare with the predictions. To measure the height of the
rocket the angle from 50 meters away to the maximum altitude was measured, and then
trigonometry was used to determine the vertical height of the rocket. To measure the angle
individuals used a protractor + straw variation of a sextant. The angle was measured when the
observer looked at the rocket through the straw. The angle was then subtracted from 90 because
the weight measured 90 in the horizontal state of the tool.

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The problem with the diagram above is that it is highly unlikely that the rocket will travel
in a straight line. To address the non-linear flight of the rocket, angles were measured from three
different locations that were separated by 120 and 50 meters away from the launch site. With
three different angle measurements an average of the three would yield a sufficiently accurate
angle that could be used to calculate the height.
After launching the red/yellow rocket with an A8 and C6 engine, red/ black with B6
engine, and big white twice with a C6 engine the following results were recorded. Due to off
course flight paths some of the results were discarded because they would not accurately reflect
the predictions from the numerical model lab.

Rocket
Red/yellow
Red/black
Big White
Big White
Red/yellow

Engine
A8
B6
C6
C6
C6

1
40
47

2
44
50

3
45
74- curve

48
65

70
87

90
91

average
43
57
Slanted path
Large Curve
Curve

The distorted path of the majority of rockets left only two accurate launches, and the
angles show that there was really only one good launch. It is interesting to note that all of the
rockets with C6 engines experienced such large curvature that the launches were discarded.
Since the C engine has the largest impulse (10) it is likely that the rockets were launched high
enough for turbulence to severely impact their flight path, and high enough that significant
measurement errors occurred. For the rockets with a consistent flight path the average angle was
calculated and used to determine the height of the rocket. The trigonometric equation was used to
solve for h and 1.5 m was added because that is the approximate height of an individuals eyes
from the ground.

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Red/yellow:
H=50tan(43)+1.5 H=48.13 meters
Red/black:
H=50tan(57)+1.5 H=78.49 meters
There are only two significant figures because of the angle measurement system and
distance measurement system. The final results are that the red/yellow rocket flew 48 meters and
the red/black rocket flew 78 meters.
Conclusion
Calculations from the numerical model lab predicted that the red/yellow rocket would fly
63 meters and that the red/black rocket would fly 67 meters with their given engines. The actual
launching of the rocket showed that the red/yellow rocket flew 48 meters and the red/black
rocket flew 78 meters.
The predictions were approximately 15 units off from reality. The discrepancy could
have occurred because of measurement errors with the protractor, or in the rockets flight.
Because human eyes determined the measurements on the protractor they were not incredibly
accurate, and because the maximum height was determined from the ground the angle
measurements could be erroneous. Another reason for the difference between predictions and
reality is the flight path of the rockets. When predicting the height of the rockets it was assumed
that the rockets would fly in straight lines, however upon launch day this assumption was
disproved. Wind added curvature to the rockets path, a bent fin could have lead to curvature, a
bent launch station could have impacted the flight, and even though three people measured the
angle of the rocket the curvature still impacted the final results.
There are a multitude of reasons that the predictions didnt match the launch results. To
avoid the many possible errors the rockets should be launched on a clear day, without wind, or in
a completely controlled environment. Since rocket curvature is inevitable more angle
measurement stations will lead to higher accuracy height calculations. Also a laser tracking
device would be more precise than a human measurement system. Lastly multiple launches could
be performed to calculate an average maximum height witch will be more representative of an
undisturbed rocket launch, and it will address the gunpowder distribution problem in the rocket
engines.
Reflection
The rocket lab greatly increased my understanding in physics. I understand most of the
concepts that were used in the lab, however the lab showed a real life application of physics.
Through the lab I learned skills that can be applied outside of high school in an engineering or
scientific industry. The lab also encouraged independent thought. Mr. Hendricks assisted in
guiding us through the lab process however there were many times that the lab required me to
think critically and find a solution for a problem. The most significant and largest takeaway from
this lab, in my opinion, is the technique of numerical iteration. I have a feeling that the idea of
tackling a larger problem by breaking it up into manageable fragments will be very important in

Stevens 12

the future. The method is important because it is not only a good skill, but an example of how to
work around a mathematical barrier.

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Appendix A: Manufacturer Thrust Data

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Appendix B: Numerical Model sample spreadsheet

Mass (of rocket and engine together) =
Drag Coefficient (k d) =
Average
Thrust
Time

Thrust

0.0

0.1

5.0

0.2

9.0

0.3

3.0

0.4

2.5

0.5

2.2

0.6

2.2

0.7

0.0

0.8

0.0

0.9

0.0

0.0

1.1

0.0

1.2

0.0

1.3

0.0

1.4

0.0

1.5

0.0

1.6

0.0

1.7

0.0

1.8

0.0

1.9

0.0

0.0

2.1

0.0

2.2

0.0

2.3

0.0

2.4

0.0

2.5

0.0

2.6

0.0

2.7

0.0

2.8

0.0

2.9

0.0

0.0

3.1

0.0

3.2

0.0

3.3

0.0

3.4

0.0

3.5

0.0

3.6

0.0

3.7

0.0

38

00

Drag Force
(using prior v f)

0.054

(must be kg)

0.0003
Average
Net Force

Average
Net Impulse

Initial
Velocity

Final
Velocity

Average
Velocity

Initial
Height

Final
Height

Final
Time

(Thr 1+Thr 2)/2

(Fd = kd*v )

(Thr avg - mg - Fd)

(Fnett)

(= last row 's v f)

(v i +Fnett/m)

(v i + v f)/2

(= last row 's hf)

(hi +v avg*t)

2.50

0.00

1.97

0.20

0.00

3.65

1.82

0.00

0.18

0.1

7.00

0.00

6.47

0.65

3.65

15.63

9.64

0.18

1.15

0.2

6.00

0.07

5.40

0.54

15.63

25.62

20.62

1.15

3.21

0.3

2.75

0.20

2.02

0.20

25.62

29.37

27.49

3.21

5.96

0.4

2.35

0.26

1.56

0.16

29.37

32.26

30.81

5.96

9.04

0.5

2.20

0.31

1.36

0.14

32.26

34.78

33.52

9.04

12.39

0.6

1.10

0.36

0.21

0.02

34.78

35.16

34.97

12.39

15.89

0.7

0.00

0.37

-0.90

-0.09

35.16

33.50

34.33

15.89

19.32

0.8

0.00

0.34

-0.87

-0.09

33.50

31.89

32.69

19.32

22.59

0.9

0.00

0.31

-0.83

-0.08

31.89

30.35

31.12

22.59

25.70

0.00

0.28

-0.81

-0.08

30.35

28.86

29.60

25.70

28.66

1.1

0.00

0.25

-0.78

-0.08

28.86

27.41

28.13

28.66

31.48

1.2

0.00

0.23

-0.75

-0.08

27.41

26.02

26.71

31.48

34.15

1.3

0.00

0.20

-0.73

-0.07

26.02

24.66

25.34

34.15

36.68

1.4

0.00

0.18

-0.71

-0.07

24.66

23.34

24.00

36.68

39.08

1.5

0.00

0.16

-0.69

-0.07

23.34

22.06

22.70

39.08

41.35

1.6

0.00

0.15

-0.68

-0.07

22.06

20.81

21.43

41.35

43.49

1.7

0.00

0.13

-0.66

-0.07

20.81

19.59

20.20

43.49

45.51

1.8

0.00

0.12

-0.64

-0.06

19.59

18.39

18.99

45.51

47.41

1.9

0.00

0.10

-0.63

-0.06

18.39

17.23

17.81

47.41

49.19

0.00

0.09

-0.62

-0.06

17.23

16.08

16.65

49.19

50.86

2.1

0.00

0.08

-0.61

-0.06

16.08

14.96

15.52

50.86

52.41

2.2

0.00

0.07

-0.60

-0.06

14.96

13.85

14.41

52.41

53.85

2.3

0.00

0.06

-0.59

-0.06

13.85

12.77

13.31

53.85

55.18

2.4

0.00

0.05

-0.58

-0.06

12.77

11.70

12.23

55.18

56.41

2.5

0.00

0.04

-0.57

-0.06

11.70

10.64

11.17

56.41

57.52

2.6

0.00

0.03

-0.56

-0.06

10.64

9.60

10.12

57.52

58.54

2.7

0.00

0.03

-0.56

-0.06

9.60

8.57

9.08

58.54

59.44

2.8

0.00

0.02

-0.55

-0.06

8.57

7.55

8.06

59.44

60.25

2.9

0.00

0.02

-0.55

-0.05

7.55

6.53

7.04

60.25

60.95

0.00

0.01

-0.54

-0.05

6.53

5.53

6.03

60.95

61.56

3.1

0.00

0.01

-0.54

-0.05

5.53

4.53

5.03

61.56

62.06

3.2

0.00

0.01

-0.54

-0.05

4.53

3.54

4.04

62.06

62.46

3.3

0.00

0.00

-0.53

-0.05

3.54

2.56

3.05

62.46

62.77

3.4

0.00

0.00

-0.53

-0.05

2.56

1.57

2.06

62.77

62.98

3.5

0.00

0.00

-0.53

-0.05

1.57

0.59

1.08

62.98

63.08

3.6

0.00

0.00

-0.53

-0.05

0.59

-0.39

0.10

63.08

63.09

3.7

0.00

0.00

-0.53

-0.05

-0.39

-1.37

-0.88

63.09

63.01

3.8