1

Table of Contents


Abstract.2

Introduction..3

Engine Thrust Analysis...........4

Drag Force (Air Resistance)7

Numerical Model..9

Flight Results...13

Conclusion...14

Reflection.15


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ABSTRACT
In this lab the use of equipment and knowledge were required when predicting the
maximum heights of a number of rockets with differing rocket engines. First and foremost was to
calculate the amount of force and also thrust given off by each rocket engine including each
rockets impulse. It is then important to find the drag coefficient affecting each rocket as this will
greatly affect results, then by knowing the drag coefficient air resistance could be accounted for.
Now after knowing all these variables it is by numerical iteration that a prediction can be made
on how high a rocket will go. The actual predictions for each rocket were accurate but only in a
certain instance and when comparing the predicted results to the actual calculated heights for
each rocket they were very different. Below are the results of the lab when predicting each
rockets maximum height.
Results
Rocket Predicted Height Actual Height
Small White 28m 25m
Red/Yellow(B6 engine) 50m 169m
Red/Yellow(C6 engine) 97m 478m
Red/Silver 92m 452m
Big White 73m 188m
Black/Red 62m 259m


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INTRODUCTION
Throughout this lab the main goal was not to just predict the maximum height a certain
rocket would reach but was to also use previously acquired knowledge and apply it in a critical
way to a real world situation. In each step of this lab the uses of equipment were important when
receiving the most accurate results. In completing this lab it may come in handy to recognize and
know the meaning of certain terms, these terms are:
Kinematics: the branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of objects
without reference to the forces that cause the motion.
Dynamics: the branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of bodies under
the action of forces.
Impulse (

): force acting briefly on a body and producing a finite change of

momentum.
Momentum ( : the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a
product of its mass and velocity.
Drag force (

): When an object is passing through a fluid or medium(in this

case air) then faces retarding or opposing force this force is called the drag force.
Drag Coefficient (

): the ratio of the drag on a body moving through air to the

product of the velocity and the surface area of the
body.
Also as it was mentioned before, it is important to calculate
the thrust given off by each engine in relation to finding the thrust it
is also important to find the impulse. In order to have an equation
relating impulse the next step was to derive the impulse-momentum
theorem. This equation will later prove to be helpful as the lab
progresses.

Deriving the Impulse-
Momentum theorem
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After finding the impulse it is then possible to identify the rocket engine being used.
Throughout the lab there were many rocket engines available when launching each rocket; they
are a 1/2A3, B6, and a C6 engine. In identifying each engine, the letter (1/2A3, B6, C6)
represents the amount of impulse for each engine. For example the A engine has an impulse of
2.5Ns and each engine after doubles the previous engines impulse (B: 5Ns, C: 10Ns, D:
20Nsetc.). The number (1/2A3, B6, C6) represents the average force for each rocket so for a
B6 engine the average force would be 6N. When this step is complete the next step is to find
the drag force and also the drag coefficient for each rocket. This step is important because it
models that air resistance affects how high each rocket travel, which is true when actually
launching each rocket. Without accounting for air resistance the predicted heights for each rocket
will be much larger than they would be in reality.
After knowing all the required variables to calculate each rockets maximum height it is
possible to make a prediction, when doing this it is best to do so through numerical iteration(a
procedure in which a cycle of operations is repeated) because it is by this process that the results
can be calculated more accurately. Again it is important to find a solution by numerical iteration
rather than finding an analytical solution because then the process can be simplified and make it
easier to find a more closely and accurate solution.
ENGINE THRUST ANALYSIS
Throughout this step the goal was to calculate the impulse of a model rocket engine and
to not just identify the engine but to use the data found in order to plot the average thrust of each
engine. In order to find the impulse a digital force gauge was used to record the force of the
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rocket engine every tenth of a second. Then by graphing the data, the impulse can be found by
calculating the area under the curve. In setting up the lab, the rocket engine was threaded through
small rectangular box that was attached to small car. This car was then connected to the digital
force meter (able to measure the force of the engine in the positive and negative direction) that
fed the data into a calculator which was able to record the data and graph it. Both the car and the
gauge it was connected to were placed on a track, providing better control and keeping the car in
place throughout the experiment. Below is a diagram of the lab and the way it was setup.

The actual engine was ignited using what is called a hit igniter (shown in the diagram
below) that joined two low resistant lead wires able to be heated by sending an electrical current
through copper insulated wiring, the heat then lights the
pyrotechnic material and ignites the engine. While the engine
is lit and exerting a force on our gauge that data is recorded
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using a program similar to the data- mate program, the program after the calculator is done
recording it then graphs the data, which is where we are able to calculate the amount of impulse
the rocket engine is exerting. The curve graphed during our experiment is shown below.
In order to find the impulse, midpoint
approximation was used to estimate the area
under the curve which is equal to the impulse,
because Impulse=ft and the graph is of force
as a function of time. After doing so an impulse
of about 5Ns is found, which means the engine
is a type B engine. Finally when averaging the
forces it is found that the engines average force was about 5N this resulted in a B5 model rocket
engine. A table of the recorded forces can be found on the next page. A sample was recorded
every tenth of a second and the graph shows the forces exerted from 0 1.3 seconds. Also the
force gauge measured the pushing force as negative and the puling force as positive but in
graphing the data the pushing force was made to be in the positive direction. After Knowing how
to calculate the impulse the next step should be to find the drag force/drag coefficient affecting
the rockets.
Time Force Time Force
0 -.05 (zero) .7 3.82
.1 -.07 (zero) .8 3.55
.2 -.15 (zero) .9 3.95
.3 .40 1.0 3.94
7

.4 5.02 1.1 3.99
.5 10.14 1.2 1.42
.6 5.24 1.3 -.02 (zero) out of fuel

DRAG FORCE (AIR RESISTANCE)
In this step the drag coefficient of a certain model rocket was found in order to know how
the force would affect the rockets flight. In order to do this a small model rocket was placed
(similar to, but not the same as the one we would be launching) into an open loop wind tunnel,
by hanging the rocket in the center of the test area. Also by placing a protractor directly behind
the rocket we were able to find the angle that the string attached to the rocket made, which will
later be important when solving for the drag coefficient. This setup can be found below.








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In order to find the drag coefficient it is required to derive an equation specific to the
situation. When deriving the equation it is helpful to recognize that the force of drag is
proportionate to velocity squared, or

when involving the drag coefficient. Now

that we know this we can begin to derive the equation for this situation. When doing this it is
helpful to imagine a ball hung by a string being pushed by a force of wind. Below is diagram of
this situation and the steps taken when deriving an equation for the drag force as a function of ,
,and .
1. Draw a free body diagram
while labeling all the forces
acting on the ball.

2. Break the force of tension
exerted by the string into
its vertical and horizontal
components.

3. Use the equation
find two equations that
relate the forces on the
ball. Do this both in the X
and Y direction.

4. After finding these two
equations, combine them in
order to solve for the drag
force. This final equation

Free Body Diagram
9

should be the force of drag
as a function of and .


After first finding the angle by using the protractor the drag force can be found. This
means that after knowing the velocity (found by using a special instrument designed to measure
wind speed) and solving for the drag force it is possible to solve for the drag coefficient. Now in
solving for

it is important to recognize that v=m/s, m=g or kg, and =

. Also
after deriving the equation for the drag force it is possible substitute that into the equation

, this new equation is

. Knowing this

can be solved for by

dividing by

, after doing so the drag coefficient is found to be .00135, but since

the rockets will be launched and the one that

was calculated for are not the same and due to

rounding errors it is agreed that after the first sig fig the number becomes inaccurate. After
realizing this the

is estimated for each rocket when comparing sizes. Know after finding
every variable it is possible to predict the height using a numerical model.
NUMERICAL MODEL
During this step the goal was to use previously calculated data for the drag coefficient
and engine thrust in order to predict the height of certain rockets with a particular type of rocket
engine. In order to predict the height of each rockets flight both their mass in addition to the
engines mass were combined and put into a spreadsheet that also accounted for the drag
coefficient and each engines thrust for every tenth of a second. In considering the drag
coefficient, each rocket differed in size and weight and there for were accounted for when
estimating each rockets drag coefficient.
The spreadsheet used during this lab was able to take the calculated data for the rockets
mass (including the mass of the engine), the rockets drag coefficient , and the amount of thrust
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the rocket had over a period of time ( for every tenth of a second) due to the rockets engine. The
spreadsheet was able to calculate the maximum height each rocket would reach by using a series
of equations (numerical iteration), the height of the rocket every tenth of a second was found
leading up to its maximum height. Below are the first 3 rows of the spreadsheet when calculating
the heights for the smaller white rocket and a brief description of each column and the equation
used in each.





Column: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(All examples refer to first row)
1. Average Thrust: Initial thrust added to final thrust then divided by two,

. EX: 0.0 + 6.0 = 6.0, then divided by two equals 3.00

2. Drag Force: Uses the previous final velocity in the equation

EX: the previous

was 0, 0 multiplied by the drag coefficient equals 0

3. Average Net Force: Basically the sum of all the forces,

EX: 3.00 (.095kg)(9.8) - .003 = 2.07
4. Average Net Impulse: The net force multiplied by the change in time,


EX: 2.07 multiplied by (1.0-0.0) = 0 .207 0.21
5. Initial Velocity: Simply the previous rows final velocity
EX: Previous rows velocity equals 0.0, so initial velocity equals 0.0
6. Final Velocity: The initial velocity and the net force multiplied by the change in t, all
divided by the mass,

EX: 0.0 + 2.07 multiplied by 0.1 equals 0.207 divided by 0.095 equals 2.18
7. Average velocity: Initial velocity and final velocity divided by two,

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EX: 0.0 + 2.18 = 2.18, divided by two equals 1.09
8. Initial height: Simply the last rows final height.
EX: Previous rows final height equals 0.0, so initial height equals 0.0
9. Final Height: Is just the initial height and the average velocity multiplied by the change
in time,

EX: 0.0 + 1.09 = 1.09 multiplied by 0.1 equals 0.109 0.11

After receiving the required data the spreadsheet runs these equations for every tenth of a
second, by doing this the maximum height can be identified when locating the greatest value for
the final height given by the spreadsheet. The predicted heights for each rocket that was launched
are below. Fallowing the results is an example spreadsheet with the data for the Big White
rocket with a C6 engine. Also in order to see the difference made without accounting for the drag
coefficient, in the spreadsheet the drag coefficient was set to 0. When doing this for the big white
rocket the max height was predicted to be greater than 300m, proving that air resistance is an
important facor.
Rocket Engine Drag Coefficient Predicted Height
Small White 1/2A3 .001 28m
Red/Yellow B6 .002 50m
Red/Yellow C6 .002 97m
Red/Silver C6 .003 92m
Big White C6 .003 73m
Black/Red C6 .004 62m


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Type of Rocket and Type of Engine =
Mass (of rocket and engine together) = 0.095 (must be kg)
Drag Coefficient (k
d
) = 0.003
Average Drag Force Average Average Initial Final Average Initial Final Final
Thrust (using prior v
f
) Net Force Net Impulse Velocity Velocity Velocity Height Height Time
Time Thrust (Thr
1
+Thr
2
)/2 (F
d
= k
d
*v
2
) (Thr
avg
- mg - F
d
) (F
net
Dt) (= last row's v
f
) (v
i
+F
net
Dt/m) (v
i
+ v
f
)/2 (= last row's h
f
) (h
i
+v
avg
*Dt)

Rounds to 73
4.2
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
1.7 4.5
1.8 4.5
1.9 0.2
2 0.0
2.1
1.2 4.5
1.3 4.5
1.4 4.5
1.5 4.5
1.6 4.5
4.1
0.00 0.04 -0.97 -0.10 -3.53 -4.55 -4.04 72.32 71.92 4.2
0.00 0.02 -0.95 -0.10 -2.53 -3.53 -3.03 72.62 72.32
3.9
0.00 0.01 -0.94 -0.09 -1.54 -2.53 -2.03 72.83 72.62 4
0.00 0.00 -0.93 -0.09 -0.56 -1.54 -1.05 72.93 72.83
3.7
0.00 0.00 -0.93 -0.09 0.42 -0.56 -0.07 72.94 72.93 3.8
0.00 0.01 -0.94 -0.09 1.41 0.42 0.91 72.85 72.94
3.5
0.00 0.02 -0.95 -0.09 2.41 1.41 1.91 72.66 72.85 3.6
0.00 0.04 -0.97 -0.10 3.42 2.41 2.91 72.36 72.66
3.3
0.00 0.06 -0.99 -0.10 4.47 3.42 3.94 71.97 72.36 3.4
0.00 0.09 -1.02 -0.10 5.54 4.47 5.00 71.47 71.97
3.1
0.00 0.13 -1.06 -0.11 6.66 5.54 6.10 70.86 71.47 3.2
0.00 0.18 -1.12 -0.11 7.84 6.66 7.25 70.13 70.86
2.9
0.00 0.25 -1.18 -0.12 9.08 7.84 8.46 69.29 70.13 3
0.00 0.32 -1.26 -0.13 10.40 9.08 9.74 68.31 69.29
2.7
0.00 0.42 -1.35 -0.14 11.82 10.40 11.11 67.20 68.31 2.8
0.00 0.54 -1.47 -0.15 13.36 11.82 12.59 65.94 67.20
2.5
0.00 0.68 -1.61 -0.16 15.06 13.36 14.21 64.52 65.94 2.6
0.00 0.86 -1.79 -0.18 16.95 15.06 16.00 62.92 64.52
2.3
0.00 1.09 -2.02 -0.20 19.08 16.95 18.01 61.12 62.92 2.4
0.00 1.39 -2.32 -0.23 21.52 19.08 20.30 59.09 61.12
2.1
0.00 1.78 -2.71 -0.27 24.37 21.52 22.95 56.80 59.09 2.2
0.00 2.32 -3.25 -0.32 27.79 24.37 26.08 54.19 56.80
1.9
0.10 3.05 -3.88 -0.39 31.88 27.79 29.83 51.21 54.19 2
2.35 3.48 -2.06 -0.21 34.04 31.88 32.96 47.91 51.21
1.7
4.50 3.45 0.12 0.01 33.92 34.04 33.98 44.51 47.91 1.8
4.50 3.42 0.15 0.01 33.76 33.92 33.84 41.13 44.51
1.5
4.50 3.38 0.19 0.02 33.56 33.76 33.66 37.76 41.13 1.6
4.50 3.33 0.24 0.02 33.31 33.56 33.44 34.42 37.76
1.3
4.50 3.26 0.30 0.03 32.99 33.31 33.15 31.10 34.42 1.4
4.50 3.19 0.38 0.04 32.58 32.99 32.79 27.82 31.10
0.06 31.44 32.08 31.76 21.42 24.59 1.1
4.50 3.09 0.48 0.05 32.08 32.58 32.33 24.59 27.82 1.2
18.31 21.42
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
0.09 29.68
0.08 30.65
30.65 30.16
31.44 31.05
15.29
0.21 23.12
0.11 28.48 29.68
0.11
2.40
24.21 4.57
26.16 7.00
0.9 4.5
1 4.5
4.50 0.93
4.50 0.75
2.43
2.64
2.82
4.50 2.97 0.60
1.1 4.5
0.7
0.8
4.50 1.14
1.60
1.92
2.19
0.27 20.30
4.5
4.50 1.65
11.71
15.29
4.5
4.5
1.38 0.14 27.03
23.12
14.0
4.5
18.31
4.85 2.68 1.24
27.76 9.61
29.08 12.39
0.80
2.40
4.57
7.00
9.61
21.71
0.5
25.29
0.16 25.29 27.03
0.21
9.50 8.16 0.82
0.00 2.18
0.91 2.18 11.71
20.30
0.00
0.01
0.41
0 0.0
3.00 2.07
0.1 6.0
10.00
0.6
9.05
0.2
4.50 28.48
0.3 5.0
1.09 0.00
6.94 0.11
16.00 0.80
12.39
0.4 4.7
4.60 2.07
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FLIGHT RESULTS
In this final step ab the goal was to calculate the height of each rocket as they were
launched and then compare the actual height with the previously predicted heights. In order to
find the actual heights of each rocket, three people with protractors found the angle from their
position to the position of the rocket while at its maximum height. By taking the distance
between the launch site and the position of each person (50m) and multiplying it by the tangent
of the angle (found when averaging the angles found between the three people), the actual height
of each rocket(while not forgetting to add 1.7 for distance from the eye to the ground for each
person) can be calculated. After doing this for each the actual height for every rocket was found,
below is a table of the calculated heights for each rocket followed by a diagram of the setup of
the lab. In comparing the actual height with the predicted height it can be shown that the
predicted height is a higher number than it should be, in this instance the predicted height is
somewhat close to the rockets actual height. This is the case because while each person was
finding the angle between them and the rocket, the rocket was moving either towards or away
from each person. In this lab the equation that was used would only work if the rocket flew
straight up. This Factor then largely affects the results from their actual values.
Rocket Weight Engine Predicted Height Actual height Angles
Small White 30 1/2A3 28m 25m 30,34,25
Red/yellow 57 B6 50m 169m 78,77,65
Red/Yellow 63 C6 97m 478m 90,88,80
Red/Silver 89 C6 92m 452m 87,89,75
Big White 95 C6 73m 188m 75,75,90
Black/Red 102 C6 62m 259m 88,90,70
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Conclusion
In comparing the actual heights to the predicted heights and realizing that the actual
heights were extremely high, there are some flaws within the lab and how it was carried out. One
major reason for the results not matching could be because of the rockets them self and that it
was impossible to stop the rockets from curving as they were launched. As the rockets curved the
results were extremely altered and totally inaccurate. Another
reason would be unpreventable human error, meaning when each of
the three persons were measuring the angles, it undoubtedly be
difficult to measure the exact angle of each rocket. This flaw would
prove not to be a major factor as the rocket was lower to the ground
but as the rockets flew higher even the smallest inaccuracy between
the angles would mean an enormous difference in calculating the
actual height.



15


REFLECTION
In completing this lab it defiantly helped build my understanding of physics, by not just
learning the concepts throughout physics but by actually applying them I was able to better
understand the importance of physics and how I can use it in everyday life. One section of this
lab I enjoyed most was probably the drag force section because along with using the wind tunnel
I thought it was important to see how much of a difference air resistance could really make and
also in relating that to the real world. Some difficulties I encountered were probably just explain
each lab and procedure so that it could be easily understood. Finally this project was an
extremely cool experience in relating physics to real situations and I am glad I was better my
understandings throughout the project.


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