Rockets Name Jessie Mulder HR 8th

INTRODUCTION: This is your chance to put what you have learned about taking measurements, finding
patterns, and making predictions into practice. You will have an opportunity to take measurements, find
patterns, and make predictions.

Your rockets will be 2 liter pop bottles launched with 75 psi of air pressure. Your challenge will be to make
your rocket travel at least 100 meters.

Your group will be responsible for setting up experimental designs for TWO variables. You will be sharing
your results with the class.
For each variable, you must post your data (INCLUDING: question, hypothesis, procedure {clear
pictures required for full credit for the procedure portion}, data table, graph, conclusions) to the
posterous site designated by your teacher.

II. How will the wing size affect how far your rocket will go?
III. If the wings are smaller, then the rocket will go farther because there is less mass.

The Distance of the Rocket Depends on the Wing Size

Wing Size (cm) Distance (meters) Average
Distance (m)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
15, 11 82.5 90 81 84.5
7.5, 5.5 104 102 105 103.6
5, 3.6 33 41 29 34.3

Source: Jessie Mulder and Tori Moralez May 2010

Controlled Variables
-100ml in the top
-1000ml in the bottom
-cap on
-what the wings are made of (cardboard)
-duct tap keeping it together
-shape of wings (right triangle)
-number of wings

Materials
-cardboard
-scissors
 -2 litter bottle
-20 oz bottle
-duct tape
-launcher

Procedure
-tape bottles together
-tape the bottom of the 2 litter bottle to the bottom of the 20 oz bottle
-tape on 4 wings evenly spread out
-make sure the cap is on
-launch rocket
-measure the distance of how far it went
-record in data table
-repeat steps 1-6 for each measurement of wings

Graph

Conclusion
 Our hypothesis was correct because we said that the smaller the wings, the farther it will go.
But the smallest wings didn't go farther than the biggest wings so our hypothesis was only
partially correct. If we had to do this experiment again then we wouldn't do as small of wings
because they don't work near as well.

After your group has tested your variable and reported your data, it is time to build your final individual
product. Each person (not group) must have a final rocket to launch on test day and a LONG PARAGRAPH
FORM EXPLANATION of their own. Your grade will reflect the distance that your rocket travels and your
data to back up your choice of rocket variables. Remember that your goal is to travel 100 m.

Your grade will consist of the following:

 Group -- Experimental designs for each variable (INCLUDING: question, hypothesis, procedure
(with pictures), data table, graph, conclusions) to be saved and posted to the site. (30 points)

 Individual -- daily participation points (5 points per day)

 Individual -- The final launch (50 points) THURSDAY, June 3. YOUR ROCKET MUST BE
READY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HOUR. NO EXCEPTIONS. YOU WILL HAVE TWO
LAUNCHES AND WE WILL TAKE THE BEST OF THE TWO. IF YOU ARE NOT READY AT
YOUR DESIGNATED TURN, YOU FORFEIT THAT LAUNCH SO BE READY WHEN YOU
GET TO CLASS ON FINAL LAUNCH DAY!

 Individual -- A LONG PARAGRAPH FORM EXPLANATION that includes a discussion of what you
have built and why. DUE TUESDAY, JUNE 1 and NOT ACCEPTED LATE. (MUST BE
HANDED IN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINAL LAUNCH!)
 FCAs:
()a Grade sheet attached on top.
()b Detailed sketch or photo of your rocket, including information about each variable used (your
final angle, amount of water, wing types, etc.). Be sure to write ALL the sizes/amounts on the
sketch. (20 points)
()c Choose what you think are the 3 most important features (wing size, nosecone weight, etc.) and
explain why you chose the amounts/sizes etc. for those features that you chose. This section
must include graphs, quantitative and qualitative analysis. You may use the data tables,
graphs, conclusions from other groups from the HC site. (21 points)
()d A final concluding paragraph of how your rocket is using Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion to travel
100 meters. (9 points)

1. Your group’s variables: number of wings, wing size

2. Control Rocket: 75 psi, label off, right triangle, 15 cm long, 11cm out, 4 wings, 20 oz top, 2 liter
bottom, 100ml in top, 1000ml in bottom, top cap on

INDIVIDUAL ROCKET GRADE SHEET NAME___________________________

**YOU MUST STAPLE THIS SHEET TO THE FRONT OF YOUR TYPE III WHEN YOU
HAND IT IN!

Final Assessment:

_______________The final launch distance

__________/50 The final launch points

Type III

a) _________/20 Detailed sketch of your rocket, including information about each variable
used (your final angle, amount of water, wing types, etc.). Be sure to
write the sizes/amounts on the sketch.

b) _________/21 Choose what you think are the 3 most important features (wing size,
nosecone weight, etc.) and explain why you chose the amounts/sizes etc.
for those features that you chose. This section must include graphs,
quantitative and qualitative analysis. You may use the data tables,
graphs, conclusions from the shared folder to help you.

c) _________/9 A final concluding paragraph of how your rocket is using Newton’s 3 Laws
of Motion to travel 100 meters.
Total:_____________/100