You get to not only build as many rockets as you want, but also the launcher to go with it! Although the launcher takes about 20 minutes to assemble, it will serve you for thousands of rocket launches, and doesn’t require an air compressor or even a bike pump! You’re going to make your own single-piston air pump using everyday hardware store parts. You can opt to include the protractor if you want to be more precise in your measurements. You can use this experiment in more advanced projects, like science fairs. See tips below for more information.
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Materials:
Rocket
After the initial fun, you may start to wonder about how you can use this as a science fair project or something that really does some real science. This is a great setup for this type of experimenting, since you can do repeated launches and measure your results. The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out a way to make it so that you push down with the same amount of force each time you launch the rocket. You can attach a bungee cord to connect the cap of the 1-1/4” PVC pipe to the opening of the 2” PVC pipe, and add small increments on the 1-1/4” pipe. This experiment can show the effect of gravity of different masses of rockets, since the speed of the rocket is the same at all angles fired at (if you launch with the same force each time). You can also vary the launch angle and measure how far the rocket goes horizontally each time, or make the vertical measurement tool shown in the video as well. You can experimentally figure out the best angle to launch at, since if you launch completely vertical, all the energy goes into making the rocket move vertically and it doesn't travel any vertical distance, and lets drag stop the rocket while it’s still in the air. If you aim it near the horizontal, there’s less energy available to overcome the pull of gravity, so it doesn't fly nearly as high and it hits the ground and drags to a stop, wasting energy. There’s a “best launch angle” that balances these two effects to make a parabolic trajectory (path) that the rocket takes when launched. Other ideas including carrying the nose-weight of the rocket. You’ll need to be able to measure the clay (in grams) and see what effect this has on flight as well. Try a rocket without any clay at all and see how it flies! Use a pencil tip or an edge of a ruler to balance each rocket and find it’s center of gravity, and measure this from the nose and record this with your data in a table. What happens if you change the size, shape, and location of the fins? What if you put fins in the front, middle or back of the straw? Use big or small fins? [/am4show]
- Straw
- Masking tape
- Small ball of clay
- 2” PVC pipe approx. 2’ long
- 1 1/4” PVC pipe approx. 2’ long
- 1/2” PVC pipe approx. 6” long
- 1-1/4” PVC end cap
- 1/2” PVC plug
- 1/2” PVC elbow
- 2” to 1/2” PVC reducer
- 2” PVC elbow
- 3/16” brass tubing
- PVC cement
- Hot glue
- 2” pipe clamp
- 2 wood screws
- Electrical tape
- Protractor (optional)
- Drill and drill bits (3/16”)
- Scrap piece of wood
After the initial fun, you may start to wonder about how you can use this as a science fair project or something that really does some real science. This is a great setup for this type of experimenting, since you can do repeated launches and measure your results. The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out a way to make it so that you push down with the same amount of force each time you launch the rocket. You can attach a bungee cord to connect the cap of the 1-1/4” PVC pipe to the opening of the 2” PVC pipe, and add small increments on the 1-1/4” pipe. This experiment can show the effect of gravity of different masses of rockets, since the speed of the rocket is the same at all angles fired at (if you launch with the same force each time). You can also vary the launch angle and measure how far the rocket goes horizontally each time, or make the vertical measurement tool shown in the video as well. You can experimentally figure out the best angle to launch at, since if you launch completely vertical, all the energy goes into making the rocket move vertically and it doesn't travel any vertical distance, and lets drag stop the rocket while it’s still in the air. If you aim it near the horizontal, there’s less energy available to overcome the pull of gravity, so it doesn't fly nearly as high and it hits the ground and drags to a stop, wasting energy. There’s a “best launch angle” that balances these two effects to make a parabolic trajectory (path) that the rocket takes when launched. Other ideas including carrying the nose-weight of the rocket. You’ll need to be able to measure the clay (in grams) and see what effect this has on flight as well. Try a rocket without any clay at all and see how it flies! Use a pencil tip or an edge of a ruler to balance each rocket and find it’s center of gravity, and measure this from the nose and record this with your data in a table. What happens if you change the size, shape, and location of the fins? What if you put fins in the front, middle or back of the straw? Use big or small fins? [/am4show]
Yes but you can use it over and over all summer long!!!
it’s harder to make the launcher than the rocket!!! 🙂 : ) 🙂