By adding that maximum potential energy (at a moment when all of the vertical kinetic energy should have been converted into potential energy) to that average kinetic energy, students would be able to find approximately the amount of energy that was given to their rocket when they stomped on the bottle. Students could also record the maximum height their rocket achieved on each flight and calculate the potential energy of the rocket at that moment by multiplying the mass of their rocket by the acceleration of gravity by the height off the ground. By weighing their rocket beforehand and using the average horizontal velocity they calculated during their trials they could find an approximate horizontal kinetic energy. Students can also use this projectile lab to calculate approximate amount of energy created by their stomp.

This would be difficult, but multiple trials could be used to find an average launch. In order to minimize variables, for this lab students should attempt to step on the plastic bottle in the same place for each launch and attempt to equalize the force of their step. Students will record their angles on the following data sheet. Students will begin by measuring 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 degree angles. They will use a stop watch to record the flight time for each trial. Students will slide their paper rocket onto the launcher, make sure that no one is in the path of their shot, stomp on the 2-liter bottle, and then measure and record the distance from the rocket launcher to the place where the rocket landed. Procedure for each individual flight is relatively simple. The version I am doing in class will be day two in a four day activity, with day one being the day where students will design, build, and iterate on their own rockets, creating one of their own design and one using the Pop Rockets designs linked to above.įor this particular demo, we will be iterating on the launch angle necessary for greatest horizontal flight. There are multiple ways to run this particular lab. Paper rockets - Samples designs can be found at:.

Rocket launchers (made from 1' and 1/2' PVC piping, 1/2' clear vinyl tubing).Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.ĮTS1.A: Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object. Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration. RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table). RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. Principle(s) Investigated: Pressure, Force, energy, engineering Title: Determining Optimal Launch Angles for Paper Pressure Rockets

Stomp rocket