Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy

Transcription

1 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Teacher s Guide Body of Knowledge: Big Idea (Benchmark): Summary: Objective(s): Ecosystem(s) STEM (Engineering Design); Earth/Space Science SC.6.P.11.1 ; SC.6.P.12 ; MA.5.G.5.3; MA.5.A.6.3; MA.6.A.1.3; LA ;LA Students will launch water rockets using a bicycle pump to pressurize the water rocket. Students will experiment with a variety of materials to design and build a viable rocket with fins and a nose cone. Students will test, launch, and refine their rockets. After completing the field lab, students will be able to: 1. Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy during flight 2. Define the forces acting on the water rocket (gravity, thrust and drag). 3. Effectively apply data collection, observation and inference 4. Design and build a solution to a real-world problem Any outdoor space/open field (without tree coverage); note level of safety in regards to public and infrastructure before launching water rockets. Equipment 2 x clear 2-liter soda bottles potable water source 1 x bike pump w/gauge fin/nosecone templates Anemometer (wind speed) 1 x launch stand 2 x stop watches Cardstock or manila folders (for fin/nosecone) roll of flagging tape 2 x 150 meter measuring tapes 1 x 1000ml graduated cylinder 2 x scissors 2 x roll clear packing tape Protractor Modeling clay Background (Pre-field Classroom Activity): Equipment Training: Anemometer (if used); rocket launcher Vocabulary: Law of Conversation of Energy, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Qualitative, Quantitative, Gravity, Drag, Thrust, Deviation, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Observation, Inference Reference Material: Preparation: Bring students to an area of open space where the rocket is unlikely to hit anything on its way up or down. Procedures (Engage; Explore; Explain): Engage: Engage students with the following demonstrations: 1. Use clear tubing to show how gravity acts to move water in a confined area. Relate this to springs. 2. Use a balloon to show how air pressure creates thrust. 3. Launch a rocket to show how air pressure, water, and an aerodynamic design can thrust a water rocket in a specific direction. Explore: Challenge students to design and build their own rocket to fly the farthest and as close to the center flight path as possible. This will involve the following steps: 4. Design and draw the rocket that will fly the farthest and straightest (5 minutes) 5. Build rocket using the materials provided (10 minutes) 6. Launch the rocket following the procedures outlined in Reference Sheet 2 (10 minutes) 7. Refine rocket design (5 minutes) 8. Launch 2 (10 minutes) Explain: After completing the lab, allow the students to answer the discussion questions as a group and explain their answers relating them to the concepts, processes and skills associated with the activity. Students should record their answers individually. At this time, facilitators can introduce/explain the specific concepts and explanations in a formal manner. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 1

2 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Student Data Sheet General Information: Full Name: Science Teacher: Date: Time: Student Expectations: Friction and air resistance (drag) are two major factors that affect a rocket s flight path. Based on the materials available to you and taking into consideration today s wind speed and direction, what design elements will make the water rocket more aerodynamic and increase the accuracy of the rocket s flight path? In the space below, draw your water rocket design. Label all of the materials and quantities you used (e.g., # of fins), type(s) of elements (fins, nosecone, nozzle, etc.), design shape(s) and size(s), as well as the spacing/placement of each element. Water Volume (400 ml*) Air Pressure (40 psi*) Launch 1 Launch 2 Launch Angle (45 *) Wind Speed (m/s) Wind Direction (degrees) Flight time (seconds) Distance Travelled (meters) Deviation from center line (meters) Score = distance (0.25 x deviation) General observations of flight Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 2

3 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Assessment Questions 1. Which rocket had the most accurate flight pattern (i.e., was closest to the target flight path)? How far from the flight path did it deviate (in meters)? 2. Look at your team s hypothesis (refer to Student Expectations ). Was your team s hypothesis supported by the data? Whether your team s hypothesis was supported or not, what inferences can you make based on the observations, measurements, and results? 3. Water rockets are very different from fuel powered rockets for many reasons. Explain some of the differences between them and why rockets that are launched into space require more power and thrust than water rockets? 4. Although the water volume to which you filled the rocket remained at a constant during the experiment, how do you think the distance and the speed that the water rocket traveled was influenced by the water volume? If you could have chosen to put any amount of water inside the water rocket, how many millimeters would you have put in your team s water rocket and why? 5. Based on what you have learned in this lab, write a new question about something you would like to learn more about? Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 3

4 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Writing Prompt In this lab, you provided a solution to a real-world problem. 1. What are some ways that you can improve your design to increase accuracy of the flight pattern and overall aerodynamics of the water rocket? 2. What materials (either provided or not in this lab) would you use next time and why? This is a two part question requiring a two part answer Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 4

5 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Reference Sheet 1 Forces Affect Rocket Launch & Flight Drag Thrust Gravity Kinetic & Potential Energy Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 5

6 Water Rockets: Exploring Aerodynamics & Energy Reference Sheet 2 Rocket Launch Procedures 1. Fill rocket with specified amount of water 2. Load rocket on to launcher. Ensure bottle is snug against the bulge of the launcher, the zip ties overlap the bottle opening ridge and the coupling is securely over both the zip ties and the ridge of the bottle opening. 3. Position the launcher and at a 45 degree angle in the direction of your flight path. 4. Connect the pump to the tire stem at the base of the launcher 5. Pump the desired amount of air pressure into the launcher 6. Disconnect the tire pump 7. Measure and record wind speed and direction 8. Ensure the launch area and flight path are clear of all people and any overhead objects. 9. With one or two people supporting the launcher and one person holding the trigger release string. Remind supporters to hold on to launcher after take-off. 10. Initiate launch sequence: Is the launch team ready to count down?, Ready to count down!, 3, 2, 1, launch! 11. Pull the trigger release string (if rocket does not launch, keep rocket point up and call a teacher) 12. After launch, gently lower the launcher 13. Measure the distance from the tip of the launcher to where the rocket landed 14. Measure the shortest distance from the rocket to the center flight path line 15. [OPTION] To score the overall flight, give one point for every meter of flight and subtract 0.25 points for every meter away from the center flight path line Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Environmental Education Page 6