Rocket Lab

Brian Nguyen

Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science

B3

Mr. Hendricks





















Abstract:


For this lab report, the Physics Honors class will be using everything they have
learned from their first semester in the class (equations, calculation, etc.) into the real
world by using model rockets and will be calculating how high the rockets will go. The
Honors Physics class did a series of sub-labs that combined to make this huge lab report.
Each part contributed and the class came up with predicted heights. Each of the sub-labs
are: engine thrust analysis, drag force, numerical model, and the flight results that will
later show up in this lab report. For the class prediction of one of the rockets height, for a
red/silver rocket, it would have a predicted of 63 meters, but its actual height is 537.1
which were completely off.

I ntroduction:


This lab was done to show if the students are capable to use physics outside of
class. To test this out, a lab is conducted by using model rockets, and students must
calculate the heights of rockets by using math, equations, and the things that the students
had learned so far. Out of the things the students had learn so far in their physics class,
they learned these that will be use in this lab report: kinematics, dynamics, impulse,
momentum, drag force, and drag coefficient.
Kinematics: the motion of points, bodies and systems of bodies without
consideration of the causes of motion.
Dynamics: the study of forces and torques and their effect on motion, and it
opposed to kinematics.
I mpulse: the product of the average net force on an object and the time interval
over which the force acts.
Momentum: the product of the objects mass and the objects velocity; measured
in kg
Drag Force: The force exerted by a fluid on an object moving through the fluid;
depends on the objects motion and properties and the fluids properties.
Drag Coefficient: is a number that aerodynamicists use to model all of the
complex dependences of shape, inclination and flow conditions on aircraft drag.
This lab also used the impulse/momentum theorem (Ft = P), but a lot of people will
probably dont know what it is, so its needed to be derived:




For a model rockets to be used, what is the main core that will make a rocket launch? It
needs an engine to make a rocket launch. These engines are very small, when it is held in
hand, things will be spotted. There are stamps with a code (such as A10-3T or B6-4) on
the engine that indicates several things about the engine. The first letter of the code
indicates the motor's total impulse range. The first number that comes after the letter
indicates the motor's average thrust, measured in Newtons. The last number is the delay
in seconds between the end of the thrust phase and ignition of the ejection charge.