Rockets, Gravity and Forces

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Rockets, Gravity and ForcesAn Inquiry based
project

• Bill Lammela

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What do you know about the rockets?
http//www.spacetoday.org/Rockets/Delta4_Atlas5.ht
ml
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What is happening here?
http//www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Science/Phys
ics-and-Chemistry/ Forces-and-Energy/Force-and-Mot
ion/Force-and-Motion-19.html
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What is happening here?
http//www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Science/Phys
ics-and-Chemistry/ Forces-and-Energy/Force-and-Mot
ion/Force-and-Motion-19.html
Why doesnt the ball go on forever?
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Lets look at this.
What are the variables involved in determining
how far this balloon will go?
www.wbec.org/Events/Event000012/Overview.htm
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Lets try it!

• Set up launcher. Safety rules
• Use wide bands
• Try angle of 30o, stretch of 10 cm
• Determine distance band goesrepeat 2 more times

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How can we study one variable which might
determine the distance that the band can travel?

• Develop an hypothesis
• Plan Experiment
• Plan how to record and organize data
• Go do it!

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How to organize data?How to visualize data?
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Conclusions and Reflections
What did the data tell you? What questions still
remain? Extensions? How to incorporate into
your classes?
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Building your own

• Materials needed
• 1 x 1 wood, 2 pieces 12 long, one 18
• One 3 bolt (1/4 dia), two washers, one
  wing-nut.
• Put bolt through 12 wood, washer, 18 wood,
  washer, 12 wood and faster with wing nut.
• The 12 pieces serve as a base. The 18 piece is
  the launcher.
• You can mark off cm on the 18 piece of wood.
• You can attached one of the protractor pieces if
  you wish.

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References

• www.arborsci.com/Data_Sheets/P4-1963_DS.pdf (A
  more sophisticated model that is actually a
  projectile launcher. A variety of activities are
  included).
• www.spaceday.org/conmgmt/pdf/SpaceDayToolkit.pdf
  (A nice overview of space, rockets and many
  activities for students).
• www.york.k12.sc.us/OLDWEB/protractor.jpg
  (Downloadable protractor).
• http//www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/syhart/clinom.htm
  (Downloadable protractor).
• http//exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/r
  ktsim.html (A simulation from NASA on rockets and
  the variables that influence rocket trajectory).