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Physics Lab Report

The Rocket

By
Mr. Jirat Prasertmak 5861035
Ms. Paphapint Parinyapariwat 5861093
Ms. Chanakan Jindachotsiri 5861013
Ms. Duangjarin Sirijongkolthong 5861031
Ms. Milin Tanasarnsopon 5861058
1101

Presents
Mrs. Sorasaree Tonsiengsom
2016
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Table of Contents
Page
Abstract, Objective, Introduction 3
Background Information 4
- Newtons 1st Law of Motion 5
- Newtons 2nd Law of Motion 6
- Newtons 3rd Law of Motion 7
- Free Fall 8
- Aerodynamics Force 9
- Projectile Theory 10
- Impulse and Momentum 11
- Work, Power, Energy 12
- Torque 16
- Baking Soda 17
- Vinegar 18
Materials 19
Discussion of Design 22
Procedures 23
Data 31
Conclusion 32
Recommendation 32
References 33
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Abstract
In the experiment, we create a rocket which is propelled by chemical
reaction between baking soda and vinegar that we have measured properly.
Together with physics theory, we use projectile theory to calculate long curve
movement. Also, we use different kinds of materials and design such as plastic
and wood. For the result, the rocket should hit the middle of the target in point 4
by using 13.01g of baking soda ,235mL of vinegar, 45 degrees angle, and 77.68g
of rocket which was the great success.

Introduction
In this experiment, we used baking soda and vinegar which have chemical
properties that can react with one another , then, the rocket will move. Not only
we used chemical theory ,but also physics theories which are projectile theory
and Newtons third law of motion ,and calculate it so that we can know the length
of the curve. Moreover, we designed shape of the rocket to create its balance.
Then, we collect the results and calculate them.
Objective
To determine, the relation between each chemical which are baking soda
and vinegar that can react with another to make the rocket be able to fly and hit
the target properly.
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Background Information
"Rocket" can mean a type of engine. The word also can mean a vehicle
that uses that engine. Like most engines, rockets burn fuel. Most rocket engines
turn the fuel into hot gas. The engine pushes the gas out its back. The gas
makes the rocket move forward. A rocket is dierent from a jet engine. A jet
engine needs air to work. A rocket engine doesn't need air. It carries with it
everything it needs. A rocket engine works in space, where there is no air.

There are two main types of rocket engines. Some rockets use liquid fuel.
The main engines on the space shuttle orbiter use liquid fuel. The Russian Soyuz
uses liquid fuels. Other rockets use solid fuels. On the side of the space shuttle
are two white solid rocket boosters. They use solid fuels. Fireworks and model
rockets also fly using solid fuels.

In space, an engine has nothing to push against. So how do rockets move

there? Rockets work by a scientific rule called Newton's third law of motion.
English scientist Sir Isaac Newton listed three Laws of Motion. He did this more
than 300 years ago. His third law says that for every action, there is an equal
and opposite reaction. The rocket pushes on its exhaust. The exhaust pushes
the rocket, too. The rocket pushes the exhaust backward. The exhaust makes
the rocket move forward

Newtons First Law of Motion: Law of Inertia

Sir Isaac Newton first presented his three laws of motion in the "Principia
Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis" in 1686. His first law states that every
object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled
to change its state by the action of an external force. This is normally taken as
the definition of inertia. The key point here is that if there is no net force
resulting from unbalanced forces acting on an object (if all the external forces
cancel each other out), then the object will maintain a constant velocity. If that
velocity is zero, then the object remains at rest. And if an additional external force
is applied, the velocity will change because of the force. The amount of the
change in velocity is determined by Newton's second law of motion.
There are many excellent examples of Newton's first law involving
aerodynamics. The motion of an airplane when the pilot changes the throttle
setting of the engine is described by the first law.
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Newtons Second Law of Motion

The acceleration is proportional to the net force, and is inversely

proportional to the mass.

Sir Isaac Newton first presented his three law of motion in the "Principia
Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis" in 1686. His second law defines a force to
be equal to the differential change in momentum per unit time as described by
the calculus of mathematics, which Newton also developed. The momentum is
defined to be the mass of an object m times its velocity v. So the differential
equation for force F is:
F = d(m * v) / dt
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Newtons Third Law of Motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newtons third law states that for every action (force) in nature there is an
equal and opposite reaction. In other words, if object A exerts a force on object B,
then object B also exerts an equal and opposite force on object A. Notice that the
forces are exerted on different objects.
For aircraft, the principal of action and reaction is very important. It helps to
explain the generation of lift from an airfoil. In this problem, the air is deflected
downward by the action of the airfoil, and in reaction the wing is pushed upward.
Similarly, for a spinning ball, the air is deflected to one side, and the ball reacts
by moving in the opposite direction.
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Free Fall

An object that falls through a vacuum is subjected to only one external

force, the gravitational force, expressed as the weight of the object. An object
that is moving only because of the action of gravity is said to be free falling and
its motion is described by Newton's second law of motion. With algebra we can
solve for the acceleration of a free falling object. The acceleration is constant and
equal to the gravitational acceleration g which is 9.8 meters per square second at
sea level on the Earth. The weight, size, and shape of the object are not a factor
in describing a free fall. In a vacuum, a beach ball falls with the same
acceleration as an airliner. Knowing the acceleration, we can determine the
velocity and location of any free falling object at any time using the following
equations. V=a*t
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Aerodynamics Force

When two solid objects interact in a mechanical process, forces are

transmitted, or applied, at the point of contact. But when a solid object interacts
with a fluid, things are more difficult to describe because the fluid can change its
shape. For a solid body immersed in a fluid, the "point of contact" is every point
on the surface of the body. The fluid can flow around the body and maintain
physical contact at all points. The transmission, or application, of mechanical
forces between a solid body and a fluid occurs at every point on the surface of
the body. And the transmission occurs through the fluid pressure.
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Projectile Theory

A projectile is an object upon which the only force acting is gravity. There
are a variety of examples of projectiles. An object dropped from rest is a
projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). An object
that is thrown vertically upward is also a projectile (provided that the influence of
air resistance is negligible). And an object which is thrown upward at an angle to
the horizontal is also a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is
negligible). A projectile is any object that once projected or dropped continues in
motion by its own inertia and is influenced only by the downward force of
gravity.

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Impulse and Momentum

Newton's second law (Fnet = m a) stated that the acceleration of an

object is directly proportional to the net force acting upon the object and inversely
proportional to the mass of the object. When combined with the definition of
acceleration (a = change in velocity / time), the following equalities result.
F = m a or F = m v / t

If both sides of the above equation are multiplied by the quantity t, a new
equation results.
F t = m v
This equation represents one of two primary principles to be used in the analysis
of collisions during this unit. To truly understand the equation, it is important to
understand its meaning in words. In words, it could be said that the force times
the time equals the mass times the change in velocity. In physics, the quantity
Force time is known as impulse. And since the quantity mv is the momentum,
the quantity mv must be the change in momentum. The equation really says
that the
Impulse = Change in momentum

One focus of this unit is to understand the physics of collisions. The physics of
collisions are governed by the laws of momentum; and the first law that we
discuss in this unit is expressed in the above equation. The equation is known as
the impulse-momentum change equation.
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Energy Work Power

Energy is the capacity for doing work. You must have energy to
accomplish work - it is like the "currency" for performing work. To do 100 joules
of work, you must expend 100 joules of energy.

Work refers to an activity involving a force and movement in the directon of

the force. A force of 20 newtons pushing an object 5 meters in the direction of the
force does 100 joules of work.
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Power is the rate of doing work or the rate of using energy, which are
numerically the same. If you do 100 joules of work in one second (using 100
joules of energy), the power is 100 watts.

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Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is an expression of the fact that a moving object can do

work on anything it hits; it quantifies the amount of work the object could do as a
result of its motion. The total mechanical energy of an object is the sum of its
kinetic energy and potential energy.The total energy of an isolated system is
subject to the conservation of energy principle.
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Potential Energy

Potential energy is energy which results from position or configuration. An

object may have the capacity for doing work as a result of its position in a
gravitational field (gravitational potential energy), an electric field (electric
potential energy), or a magnetic field (magnetic potential energy). It may have
elastic potential energy as a result of a stretched spring or other elastic
deformation.
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Torque (Stability of a Model Rocket)

A force may be thought of as a push or pull in a specific direction. When a

force is applied to an object, the resulting motion of the object depends on where
the force is applied and how the object is confined. If the object is unconfined and
the force is applied through the center of gravity, the object moves in pure
translation, as described by Newton's laws of motion. If the object is confined (or
pinned) at some location called a pivot, the object rotates about the pivot, but
does not translate. The force is transmitted through the pivot and the details of
the rotation depend on the distance from the applied force to the pivot. If the
object is unconfined and the force is applied at some distance from the center of
gravity, the object both translates and rotates about the center of gravity. The
details of the rotation depend on the distance from the applied force to the center
of gravity. The motion of flying objects is described by this third type of motion; a
combination of translation and rotation.
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Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.

It is a salt composed of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. Sodium bicarbonate is
a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly
salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). The
natural mineral form is nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is
found dissolved in many mineral springs. Since it has long been known and is
widely used, the salt has many related names such as baking soda, bread soda,
cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda. In colloquial usage, the names sodium
bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are often truncated. Forms such as sodium
bicarb, bicarb soda, bicarbonate, bicarb, or even bica are common.

Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid consisting of about 520% acetic
acid (CH3COOH), water, and other trace chemicals, which
may include flavorings. The acetic acid is produced by the
fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.Vinegar is
now mainly used as a cooking ingredient, or in pickling.
Commercial vinegar is produced either by a fast or a slow
fermentation processes.
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According to Steve Spangler Science, mixing vinegar and baking soda

starts a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide, or CO2, and water. The
chemical names of the two ingredients are acetic acid, which is the vinegar, and
sodium bicarbonate, which is the baking soda. When vinegar and baking soda is
mixed in a lunch bag or similar container, the carbon dioxide produced fills up
the container. The container bursts or explodes when there is no more space
for the gas in the bag or container.

In Scientific Americans version of the experiment, a film canister gets

launched into the atmosphere like a rocket. The gas builds up in the canister
until the lack of room pressurizes the closed canister causing it to pop open and
fly into the air.

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Materials
The Launcher

Plastic PVC Pipe

The Rocket

Plastic Bottle Tape

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Hard Paper Tissue

Wine Lid
Cork Digital Balance

Tube Measure Substance

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The Reactants

Vinegar Baking Soda

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Discussion of Design
Design

The pictures above are the design of the rocket which members in the
team helped each other to create. In the first picture, it can be seen that the
rocket doesnt have wings ,but after the group had done the research, they
realized that wings help the rocket to balance so that they created another one
which has 4 wings on 4 sides of the rocket. However, after they kept
experimenting, they found that the head of the rocket was too light to resist the
strong wind, so they create the final one with heavier head weight and wings.
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Procedures
Preparing
1. Planning process - all members were helping each other to think about what
we were going to do such as when we would create a rocket, what would we
have to prepare, and how would we create the rocket. Importantly, we
separated people in to 2 groupsexperimenting and reporting.

2. For the report group, they started doing the introduction part ,and they did
some initial finding such as Newtons Law of Motion and aerodynamic so that
they could plan about the shape and design of the rocket.
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3. After knowing some fundamental information, they designed the rocket.

4. After everything was ready, we started to create the rocket as same as what
we designed.
5. During that time, some members were building the launcher.
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Experiment
1. We well measured the volume of vinegar by using the measure
substance ,and put it in to the rocket.

2. Also to measure the mass of baking soda by digital balance, we put tissue on
the balance first so that it would be able to fold the baking soda.
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3. Then, after folding the baking soda with tissue, we attached it with cork by
using tape.

4. We walked to the launcher

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5. To launch, a person put the cork in the rocket

6. Immediately, the person put it on the launcher and waited for it to fly.
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Lab Report
1. The writing team were trying to find sources which could be the back ground
information
2. After finding all information, they put it in the document.

3. A person was finding pictures for each topic, materials,and reactants.

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4. A person was writing an APA format for the references.

5. Members were writing procedures, data, conclusion, and recommendation.

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Presentation
1. The members were choosing and summarizing the information.She was
putting the information to the slides.

2. Another person was finding pictures ,and decorating the presentation.

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Data

Name Design Accuracy Rocket Baking Vinegar Angle Physic

mass soda volume

NASA 3 0 68.55g 13.00g 230mL 45 3

Rocket

3 0 68.55g 14.10g 230mL 45 3

3 0 72.78g 14.09g 230mL 45 3

3 2 70.31g 14.57g 240mL 45 3

3 0 70.31g 14.52g 240mL 45 3

3 0 70.31g 14.51g 240mL 45 3

3 0 77.68g 14.60g 240mL 45 3

3 1 77.68g 14.60g 240mL 45 3

3 1 77.68g 14.51g 245mL 45 3

3 0 77.68g 14.21g 245mL 45 3

3 0 77.68g 14.30g 240mL 45 3

3 4 77.68g 13.01g 235mL 45 3

Analysis of Data
The rocket called NASA Rocket. First of all, we had small amount of rocket
mass, baking soda, and vinegar. However, we found that it was too less and the
rocket didnt hit the target, also wind is another factor that made the rocket
cannot be balanced. After consulting with the lab technician, he said that we
should increase mass of the rocket, especially on the top ,so it would be more
stable in the wind, and we increased the mass and volume of reactants. During
that time, we didnt change the design and angle because we thought that it was
the best to launch, but we kept changing amount of reactants. The amount of
baking soda that we used was about 14.16g (average) and volume of vinegar
was about 238mL (average).
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the group has created the rocket called NASA Rocket which
relates to physics rules such as Newtons Law of Motion, aerodynamics,
projectile etc. As the group kept experimenting, they kept changing the amount of
reactants ,however, they were succeeded by making the rocket hit the target
point 4 which was the highest point by using 13.01g of baking soda ,235mL of
vinegar, 45 degrees angle, and 77.68g of rocket. Therefore, they kept the record
of all datas ,analyze them ,and made the report.
Recommendation
We should calculate the amount of chemical according to the ratio
first ,because it have many obstacle that happened during the experiment such
as error in amount of chemical which can make the calculating error. Also we
should prepare for a spear path ,because the rocket might be broken during the
experiment ,and it happened ,however, fortunately that we have another rocket.
Last but not least ,during the experiment the tester should wear a lab coat ,
goggle ,and glove to protect your body from chemical spill ,which can make body
feels irritable.

Members
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References
Hall, Nancy. (2015). Aerodynamic Forces. Retrieved from https://
www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/presar.html.

Hall, Nancy. (2015). Newtons Second Law. Retrieved from https://

www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/newton2.html.

Hall, Nancy. (2015). Newtons Third Law Applied to Aerodynamics.

Retrieved from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/newton3.html.

Hall, Nancy. (2015). Torque (Moment). Retrieved from https://

www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/torque.html.

Louviere, Georgia. (n.d.). Third Law of Motion. Retrieved from http://

teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Newton/law3.html.
May, Sandra. (2015). What is a Rocket?. Retrieved from https://
www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-a-rocket-
k4.html.

Momentum and Impulse Connection. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://

www.physicsclassroom.com/class/momentum/Lesson-1/Momentum-and-
Impulse-Connection.