ROCKET PROJECT

Sue Yon Kim

B3 Physics H.
Mr. Hendricks

Academy of Math, Engineering, and Science

Abstract
Engine thrust analysis section is to predict the engine type of the rocket and to find out exactly
how much force the engine puts out at each tenth of a second interval. In the experiment, the
digital force gauge taped on the cart and it measures the force by every 0.1 seconds. The force
* time graph is drawn from the data of the experiment and the total impulse is calculated by
summing up all the area under the curve. The total impulse from the calculation is 4.168 and it is
close to the impulse of B engine (= 5.0). Then the average force is calculated by using impulse
formula, determined as 3.21N.
Drag force section is to determine the drag force (Fd) and the drag coefficient (kd) using the
angle from rockets movement in a wind tunnel. Based upon the free body diagram of drag force
model, the drag force (Fd) formula is derived by Newtons 2nd law. The angle from the wind
tunnel experiment is used to calculate the drag coefficient (Fd). The drag force (Fd) and drag
coefficient (kd) are 0.3046 and 0.00135 after the calculation.
Numerical model is to predict the maximum height of the rocket flight using Excel spread sheet
and to know how the air resistance affects to the maximum height of the rocket. Two rockets are
tested with three different engines per each rocket. The maximum heights of red/silver rocket
with C6 engine and red/black rocket with C6 engine are 73.77 m and 61.36 m. Maximum height
of the red/silver rocket is higher than the red/black rocket, because the red/silver rocket has
smaller drag coefficient than the red/black rocket. That means red/silver rocket has smaller air
resistance.
Flight result is to calculate the real maximum height of the rocket using the averaged angle
which is measured with protractors by three persons. In the experiment, five different rockets
are launched and measure for each rockets height. The height is calculated from the
trigonometric equation must be added with the persons height so the maximum height is 448 m
for red/silver rocket with C engine.
To compare the predicted height and actual height from the experiment, the predicted height of
the red/silver rocket with C6 engine using excel spread sheet calculation is 73.77m and the
actual height of it in real launch experiment is 448m. The maximum height in a real rocket
launch experiment and maximum height using excel spreadsheet calculation have lots of
difference.

Introduction
The project is designed to compare predicted height and actual height of the rockets with three
different engines (A8, B6, and C6). There are four sections which are engine thrust analysis,
drag force (air resistance), numerical model, and rocket flight launched in the field experiment.

The physics terminology used in this project is described in the following. Kinematics is defined
as the motion of bodies (rocket and engine) without reference to mass or force. Dynamics is
defined as the effects of forces on the motion of a body or system of bodies. Impulse (J = Ft) is
defined as the change in linear momentum of a body. Drag force (Fd = kd * v2) refers to forces
acting opposite to the relative motion of any objectis and sometimes it is known as air
resistance. Drag coefficient (kd) is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object (against
rocket flights) and the value of drag coefficient depend on the size, shape, and mass of the
object.
The impulse/momentum theorem is derived with using Newtons second law and definition of
acceleration.
J=Ft
Using Newtons 2nd law:
F = ma
J = m*a*t
Using the definition of acceleration:
a = v / t
J = m*(v / t)*t
J = m v = m (vf - vi)
J = Pf - Pi = P
Where J = impulse, F = force, t = time, a = acceleration, m = mass, P = momentum
There are three different types of engine which are A6, B4, and C6. The alphabet A, B, C
means total impulse so A = 2.5, B = 5.0, and C = 10. The number next to alphabet means
average force.
The importance of using numerical iteration is to get accurate answer with several processes
so it cant come up with one equation. For example, when the time set up as t = 0.1 seconds to
get predicted height and then it can set up as t = 0.01 to get more accurate answer of the
rockets maximum height and get closer to the real maximum height.

Engine Thrust Analysis

There are two purposes in this experiment. The one is to find and predict the engine type of the
rocket. The other purpose is to find out exactly how much force the engine puts out at each
tenth of a second interval.

In the experiment, the digital force gauge is taped on the cart and engine is set into the digital
force gauge. The phosphorous which is going to burn rockets engine is set with igniter wire.
The cart with digital force gauge is pushed against and pushed back then the engine is burned.
The force measured with gauge is transcribed on graphing calculator.
The force gauge in calculator is calibrated set by zero before it starts to record data. Then the
starting force shows a negative value (- 0.012 N) which means that the digital force gauge sees
it as a pushing force. Sample interval (or sampling rate) is measured by 0.1 second, and the
experiment length is measured for 100 seconds. The force gauge is triggered when it sees the
negative force in the graph.

Figure.1 Experiment set-up

Figure 2. Engine starts to burn

*Link for the experiment video http://youtu.be/zCROPm7Gl8s

Digital Force
gauge
(sensory)

Taped
on

Engine
Phosphoro
us
Car
t

Igniter
wire

Track
Batter
y

Figure 3. Experiment set-up in detail

Table1. Result of time and force data
Time (sec)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3

Force
(Newton)
0.05
0.07
0.15
-0.40
-5.02
-10.14
-5.24
-3.82
-3.55
-3.95
-3.94
-3.89
-1.92
0.02

Assumed zero
Assumed zero
Assumed zero

The forces in time 0 to 0.3 are assumed zero because it is close to zero. At 1.3 second, the fuel
in the engine was run out.
Calculation
The F * t graph is shown figure4. The curve graph is broken by the odd-shaped graph into
rectangles and using right-side rectangles, left side rectangles, or midpoint rectangles.
The area formula of impulse is following:
J= (Ft)
Right side rectangles = height * base
= 0.1 (5.02 + 10.14 + 5.24 + 3.82 + 3.55 + 3.95 + 3.94 + 3.89 + 1.92 + 0.02) = 4.149
Left side rectangles = height * base
= 0.1 (0.4 + 5.02 + 10.14 + 5.24 + 3.82 + 3.55 + 3.95 + 3.94 + 3.89 + 1.92) = 4.187
Average = (right side + left side) / 2 = (4.149 + 4.187) / 2 = 4.168
The total impulse is determined as 4.168 and it is close to the impulse of B engine (=5.00). The
delay time is 1.3 seconds then the average force is 3.21N using impulse formula:
J = Ft.

4.168 = F * 1.3sec
F = 4.168 / 1.3 = 3.206N = 3.21N
11.
0
10.
10.
09.5
9.
8.5
8.
0
7.
7.
5
6.
0
5.
6
0
5.
5.0
4.
4.
5
3
0.
5
3.0
2.
5
2.
0
1.
5
1.

10.1
4

5.2
4

5.02

3.8
2

3.5
5

3.9
5

3.9
4

3.8
9

1.9

0.0

0.
5

0.0

0.
3

0.
4

0.5

0.

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

1.

1.2

1.
3

Figure 4. Force * Time graph divided by rectangle (Right-side rectangles)

Note * the negative forces are assumed positive number in the graph and calculation.

Drag Force Analysis Air Resistance

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the drag coefficient (kd) using the rocket
movement in a wind tunnel. The rocket movement was measured by its angle during wind
tunnel test. Physics shows that the drag force is proportional to the square of velocity of a fastmoving object. Based upon the free body diagram of drag force model, the drag force (Fd) is
determined by mass (m), angle (), and gravity force (g) with using the Newtons 2nd law.

Calculation

Using Figure 1, the drag force (Fd) is derived using mass (m), angle () due to wind force, and
gravity (g). Using the Newtons 2nd law and drag force equation.

Wind
Forc
e

T cos

T sin

Wind
Forc
e

T
cos
Fd

sin

m
g
Figure 1. Drag force model

m
g
Figure 2. Free body diagram

F = m a, Fd = Kd V2
F = T cos m g
Since F = Fd,
T cos m g = Fd
Since there are two unknowns, tension (T) and drag force (Fd) in the above equation, two
additional equations are needed as shown in Figure 2.
In X-component:
Fx = m ax (ax = 0)
Fx = T sin Fd = 0
T sin = Fd
T = Fd / sin -- (1)
In Y-component:
F y = m ay
Fy = T cos m g = 0
T cos = m g
Plugging Equation (1) into Equation (2), then
Fd cos / sin = m g sin
Thus, the drag force becomes a function of angle without T in the equation as following

(2)

Fd = m g sin/ cos
F d = m g tan
Wind-tunnel Experiment

Figure 3. Wind-tunnel experiment set-up

Figure 4. Rocket inside the wind tunnel

Wind-tunnel is designed to produce a wind force against a rocket. A protractor is attached to the
top of wind-tunnel inside, and the rocket model is hanging downward from the top of the tunnel
inside.
The angle (27 degrees) of rocket is measured with a protractor during the wind-tunnel
experiment. The mass (0.061 kg) of rocket and the wind velocity (15 m/s) are given in the class.
From the measurements the drag force is calculated. The drag coefficient can be derived as
following:
Fd = Kd v2
kd = Fd / v2
Fd = m g tan
= 0.061 x 9.80 x tan 27o
= 0.3046
Using Equation (3), the drag coefficient becomes
kd = Fd / v2
= 0.305 / (15) 2 = 0.00135

Numerical Model of the Predicted Flight

(3)

The purpose of this experiment is to know when maximum height of the rocket will reach and
how the air resistance affects the height. Data was provided in the Excel worksheet for three
different kinds of rocket engines. Using Excel worksheet, calculations were made for average
thrust, drag force, average net force, initial velocity, final velocity, initial height and the final
height.
Calculation
The average thrust is averaged by Thrust 1 at time (i - 1) and Thrust 2 at time (i), where i is
each time elapsed. Thrusts for each engine are given in the Excel sheet.
Average Thrust = (Thr1+Thr2) / 2
Drag force (Fd) is determined by multiplying the drag coefficient (kd) and the final rocket velocity
(vf). The drag coefficient depends on the rocket mass and its velocity. The smaller mass has
smaller drag coefficient.
Drag Force (Fd) = kd * v2
Average net force is determined by the subtraction of both the force (mass times, m, and
gravitation force, g) and the drag force (Fd) from the average thrust force (Thravg). Also the
calculation is used by free body diagram, referring to Figure 1.
Average Net Force = (Thravg m g - Fd)

Thrav
g

Rocket with
engine

mg, Fd
Figure 1- Free body diagram of calculating average net force
Average net impulse is calculated by the multiplication of average net force (Fnet) and change of
time (t = tf - ti).
Average Net Impulse = (Fnet t)
Initial velocity (vi) is equal to the final velocity (vf).

Initial Velocity = vf
The calculation of final velocity is derived from the formula of Impulse (J)
J = Ft = P = m (vf - vi).
Ft = m (vf - vi)
vf = Ft / m + vi
Final velocity (vf) is calculated by the initial velocity (vi) plus the net force (Fnet) times change of
time (Dt) divided by mass (m).
Final Velocity = (vi + Fnet * t / m)
Average velocity is averaged by initial velocity and final velocity.
Average Velocity = (vi + vf) / 2
Initial height is equal to final height.
Initial Height = hf
Final height (hf) is determined using a relationship of (D) = speed (R) * time (T), which is
hf - hi = vavg * t
hf = hi + vavg * t
Sample Excel Spread Sheet
Sue Yon Kim

Red/silver

Rocket goes
up

Maximum
Height

Rocket goes
down

Rocket goes
up

Maximum
height

Rocket goes
down
The red / silver
rocket starts to
go up so the
height of the
rocket is increased and it reaches the maximum height which is 73.77m. Then the rocket goes
down so the height of the rocket is decreased.
Determination of maximum heights of two different rockets
There are three different engines (A8, B6 and C6) for the both first rocket (red/silver) and
second rocket (red/black). The mass of each rocket with engines are listed in Table 1 and 2 with
drag coefficients, respectively.
The mass of red / silver rocket (with A8 engine) is 0.08 kg and the drag coefficient is assumed
to be 0.003 for all the cases. The maximum height is determined using Excel spread sheet
calculation. The maximum height for A8 engine is 20 m. The mass of red/silver rocket with B6
engine is 0.083 kg. The maximum height of it is 36 m. The mass of red / silver rocket with C6
engine is 0.089 kg. The maximum height of it is 74 m. The results are listed in Table 3.
Table 1. Rocket (red/silver) mass and drag coefficient
Drag Coefficient
Mass

Rocket (red/silver) + A8

Rocket (red/silver) + B6

Rocket (red/silver) + C6

0.08 kg

0.003
0.083 kg

0.089 kg

The second rocket (red/black rocket) is chosen to predict the maximum height for three types of
engines used above.
The rocket mass with A8 engine is 0.093 kg and the drag coefficient is assumed to be 0.004.
The maximum height of it is 15.63 m. The rocket mass with B6 engine is 0.096 kg and the drag
coefficient is same. The maximum height of it is 28.79 m. The rocket mass with C6 engine is

0.102 kg and drag coefficient is same. The maximum height of it is 61.36. The results are listed
in Table 3.
Table 2. Rocket (red/black) mass and drag coefficient
Rocket (red/black) + A8

Rocket (red/black) + B6

Rocket (red/black) + C6

0.093 kg

0.004
0.096 kg

0.102 kg

Drag Coefficient
Mass

Table 3. Rocket maximum height of each type of engines determined using Excel spread sheet
Engine Type
A8
B6
C6

Maximum Height
Rocket (red/silver)
19.96 m
35.47 m
73.77 m

Rocket (red/black)
15.63 m
28.79 m
61.36 m

Conclusion
Maximum height of the red/silver rocket is higher than the red/black rocket, because the
red/silver rocket has smaller drag coefficient than the red/black rocket. That means red/silver
rocket has smaller air resistance. The rocket is always affected by air resistance. After it reaches
the highest point, then the rocket goes downward.
For example, the Excel calculation shows that the rocket without air resistance (kd = 0) reaches
482.54 m between 10.7 sec and 10.8 sec, while the rocket with air resistance (kd = 0.003)
reaches 74.53 m between 3.6 sec and 3.7 sec.
If the drag coefficient is zero, rocket will not be affected by any air resistance during the flight.
So the rocket without air resistance goes higher than the one with drag force. This result is
confirmed using Excel spread sheet calculation. It is concluded that the maximum height of
rocket without air resistance becomes substantially higher than the air-resisted rocket. and it
goes down slowly.

Flight Results
The rocket is launched on the center of the field and three people are set to measure the angle
of the rocket flight. Each person surrounds the center of the rocket as a triangle, referring to
Figure 1. Each person stays 50 m far away from the rocket that is launched.
Person

50 m
Person

Person
50 m

50 m

Figure 1. Position of three persons and the rocket

Since the rocket rarely flies straight up during experiments, three people measured the angle at
different side of rocket flight in their position using protractors (referring to Figure 2.) in order to
get accurate measurements. Three angles measured per each rocket flight are averaged and
used as the angle for one side of triangle. The vertical angle of triangle is assumed to be 90degree for all calculations.

9
0

Protracto

Thread
Coin shaped
weight
Figure 2. Protractor that three people used.

Figure 1. Rocket launched Figure 2. Engine connects to engine Figure 3. Parachute comes
out
*Link for the experiment video http://youtu.be/k8ShB5jZ_Jk.

Calculation
Triangular Geometry

x + 1.7
m

x
90

1.7 m (persons
height)
50

Figure 2. Final height calculated using the trigonometric relationship

The average angle is used to determine the maximum vertical height where the rocket reached.
The height is calculated using the trigonometric equation as following:
tan = (opposite) / (adjacent)
tan (Average angle) = Rockets h / d between person and the rocket
Where d = distance, h = height
The height of each person is assumed 1.7 m and it is added to the final height determined using
the trigonometric equation. The distance between person and rocket is always 50 m (Figure 2).

Table 1. The angles measured by three people with protractors for the maximum rocket heights
Rocket ID
Small
White
Red Silver
Red Black
Big White
Red
Yellow

Engine
Rocket Mass + Engine
(kg)

Drag
Coefficient
(kd)

0.03

C6
C6
C6
B6
C6

0.087
0.102
0.095
0.057
0.063

Type

Angle measured (degree)

Person 1

Person 2

Person 3

0.001

30

34

25

0.002
0.004
0.003

87
88
75
78
< 90*

89
< 90*
75
77
88

75
70
< 90*
65
80

0.002

* The angle over 90-degree is not counted in the calculations.

Height Calculation
The height of person needs to be added to maximum final height because the rocket starts on
the ground and person who measured angle measures the angle up to 1.7 m. Table 2 shows the
results of all the height calculation of each rocket.
Height of the Small White rocket with A engine is calculated as following:
Averaged angle: (30 + 34 + 25) / 3 = 29.6
tan (29.6) = x / 50 m
x = 50 m * tan (29.6) = 28.4 + 1.7 m = 30.1 m
Height of the Red Silver rocket with C engine becomes
Averaged angle: (87 + 89 + 75) / 3 = 83.6
tan (83.6) = x / 50 m
x = 50m * tan (83.6) = 445.8m + 1.7m = 447.5m = 448 m
Height of the Red Black rocket with C engine becomes
Averaged angle: (88 + 70) / 2 = 79
tan (79) = x / 50 m
x = 50m * tan (79) = 257.2 m + 1.7 m = 258.9m = 259 m
Height of the Big White rocket with C engine becomes
Averaged angle: (75 + 75) / 2 = 75
tan (75) = x / 50
x = 50m * tan (75) = 186.6 m + 1.7 m = 188.3 m = 188 m
Height of the Red Yellow rocket with B engine becomes
Averaged angle: (78 + 77 + 65) / 3 = 73.3
tan (73.3) = x / 50 m
x = 50m * tan (73.3) = 166.6 m + 1.7m = 168.3 m = 168 m
Height of the Red Yellow rocket with C engine becomes

Averaged angle: 88 + 80 / 2 = 84
tan (84) = x / 50 m
x = 50m * tan (84) = 475.7 m + 1.7 m = 477.4 m = 477 m
Table 2. Final maximum height of rockets calculated using the average angle measured
Rocket
Small White
Red Silver
Red Black
Big White
Red Yellow

Engine type
A
C6
C6
C6
B6
C6

Average Angle (degree)

29.6
83.6
79
75
73.3
84

Maximum Height (m)

30.1
448
259
188
168
477

Conclusion
The results from flight results section, the maximum height of small white rocket with A
engine from rocket launch experiment is 30.1 m. From the calculation of an excel spreadsheet,
the maximum height of it is 23.22 m.
The maximum height of red silver rocket with C engine from experiment is 448 m. From the
calculation of an excel spreadsheet, the maximum height of it is 92.49 m.
The maximum height of red black rocket with C engine from experiment is 259 m. From the
calculation of an excel spreadsheet, the maximum height of it is 61.57 m.
The maximum height of big white rocket with C engine from experiment is 168 m. From the
calculation of an excel spreadsheet, the maximum height of it is 72.94 m.
The maximum height of red yellow rocket with B engine from experiment is 168 m. From the
calculation of an excel spreadsheet, the maximum height of it is 49.50 m.
The maximum height of red yellow rocket with C engine from experiment is 477 m. From the
calculation of an excel spreadsheet, the maximum height of it is 97.33 m.
The result of maximum height using trigonometric equation in rocket launch experiment and
maximum height using excel spreadsheet calculation have lots of difference. The predicted
height is not matching the actual results perfectly. The maximum height of rocket using
trigonometric equation is bigger than excel spreadsheet calculation. It is because the rocket
rarely goes straight up in a real experiment. The rocket is curved so much when it flights so its
angle is changed a lot.

Maximum
Height

Maximu
m
Height

Figure 1. When the rocket goes straight up

Figure 2. When the rocket curves in a real

experiment

To get better results, make sure that the rocket not always goes straight up and assume that
the angle is not 90 - degree in the trigonometric equation. The maximum height of the rocket in
a real experiment is much longer than maximum height in excel spread sheet calculation.

Reflection
After doing this project, I gained more knowledge and better understanding of physics. I newly
understand the role of the air resistance that affect on the rocket flights and I am also surprised
at the rockets height can be calculated using equation that I basically know. I thought the
maximum height in the excel spread sheet calculation would be exactly same as the maximum
height in a real experiment. The most interesting section is flight results because we actually
launched the rocket and see how the rocket