Name: _________________________

Paper Rocket Project (60 points)

Math Science 9

The outer limits of space are starting to be explored.  The Federal Government has approved a plan to send an unmanned rocket into space to travel into the Milky Way.  As a NASA scientist, you are required to design and construct a rocket which will be air propelled.  The success of your mission will be judged on how high and how far your rocket can travel. NASA is getting funding from the Federal Government, and your budget is $25 million.  

Objectives:  Determine the best design for constructing and launching a rocket made from paper materials.  Use physics equations to calculate the force provided by the rocket launcher.

Rules:

! Students will be expected to both build and launch a preliminary rocket during class time. 

! We will discuss what advantages and disadvantages there are to different rocket designs.

! For the final launch, students will have partners.  One partner will launch their rocket straight up.

One partner will launch their rocket at an angle for maximum distance.

! Students will make a second rocket for a final launch.

! Students will be evaluated in two ways.  First, students will be evaluated on their lab write-up.  Second, students will be evaluated on the distance their rocket travels.

! If you are not in class to launch your rocket, you must see Ms. Howell or Ms. Mikkelson to make up the launch.   If you do not launch your rocket in 5 class days, you will lose the  points for the launch. 

Materials (5 points)

List the materials used for your final rocket below. You may not spend more than $25 million. You MUST use the materials listed in bold.

Item                                                                                               Cost

! 1 piece of 8 x 11 piece of paper = $11 million                      _________________________

! 30 cm section of either scotch tape                                            _________________________

      or masking tape = $2.5 million per section

! Decals / decoration on your rocket = $1.5 million                _________________________

! 1 piece of paper for a nose cone = $2 million                       _________________________

! The use of a glue gun, 1 time fee = $5 million                 _________________________

! one glue stick=  $5 million                                                         _________________________

! 1 index card = $1 million                                                           _________________________

! Elmers glue = $3 million                                                            _________________________

! Extra –any other adhesive/ paint used = $3 million                     _________________________

! Duct tape = $2.5 million per 15 cm section                                _________________________

TOTAL COST                        $________________________

Procedure (5 points):

Sketch your rocket here.  USE A STRAIGHTEDGE!  Provide a description of how to construct the rocket.  Your description should be very clear; a classmate should be able to follow it.

Data (11 points):

3 points will be given for participation and following directions on the launch pad. Negative 5 points will be given if you are asked more that once on the launch pad to listen and follow directions. 

Record the length of the launch tube:                                               ______________

Rocket #1:  Launched at an Angle:

Record the launch angle:                                                           ______________

Record the distance that the rocket flew in meters:                     ______________

Record the time that the rocket was in the air:                ______________

Mass of Rocket in kilograms:                                        ______________

Rocket #2:  Launched Straight Up:

Record the clinometer angle:                                                     ______________

Record your distance in meters from the rocket launcher:           ______________

Record the time that the rocket was in the air:                ______________

Mass of Rocket in kilograms                                                     ______________

Analysis:

Rocket #1:  Launched at an Angle:

1. Use trigonometry to compute the maximum height of the rocket.  Show your work (3 points).

Analysis:

Rocket #2:  Launched Straight Up:

1. Use trigonometry to compute the maximum height of the rocket.  Show your work (3 points).

2. Find the time that the rocket was in the air. Show your work (3 points).

3. Compare your answer to #2 with your data using percent difference (3 points).

4. Find the initial velocity of the rocket.  Show your work (3 points).

5. a.  Find the final velocity of the rocket just as it leaves the launch tube (3 points).

b. Find the initial velocity of the rocket while it is on the launch tube (3 points).

c. Use the length of the launch tube as Dx.  Find the time that the rocket was on the launch tube.

(3 points)

d. Find the acceleration of the rocket while it was on the launch tube (3 points).

e.  Find the force on the rocket at the time of liftoff (2 points).

Returning the pipe model (5 points – counts as a homework assignment): If you don’t return the pipe, you will lose 5 points, and you will also owe $1.00 to Mrs. Mikkelson and Ms. Howell

Distance Your Rocket Traveled (5 Points)

! Less than 20 meters – 2 points

! 20 to 30 meters        – 3 points

! 30 – 40 meters         – 4 points

! 40 – 50 meters         – 5 points

Conclusion:  Please discuss the following in COMPLETE SENTENCES on a separate sheet of paper.

(5 points)

1. What changes did you make to your rocket between the preliminary and the final launch?

2. Did these changes work?  Why or why not?