Today in class we started to actually launch rockets for the the first time. Previously we created rocket engines but we didn't get to actually launch them. This time using simple materials we had our chance to do it for the first time. But as always before we started the experiment we had to go through the key concepts of the lesson. We started of by going over Chemical Reactions. A chemical reaction is the process in which one or more substances changes into one or more substances. Also chemical reactions energy, and energy is either absorbed (endothermic) or given off (Exothermic). In addition we learned about the law of conservation. It states that for any system closed to all transfers of matter and energy, the mass of the system must remain constant over time, as system mass cannot change quantity if it is not added or removed. But what gets the rocket to launch is a reaction called a combustion reaction.In a combustion reaction compound and an oxidant is reacted to produce heat and a new product.
Today in class we started to actually launch rockets for the the first time. Previously we created rocket engines but we didn't get to actually launch them. This time using simple materials we had our chance to do it for the first time. But as always before we started the experiment we had to go through the key concepts of the lesson. We started of by going over Chemical Reactions. A chemical reaction is the process in which one or more substances changes into one or more substances. Also chemical reactions energy, and energy is either absorbed (endothermic) or given off (Exothermic). In addition we learned about the law of conservation. It states that for any system closed to all transfers of matter and energy, the mass of the system must remain constant over time, as system mass cannot change quantity if it is not added or removed. But what gets the rocket to launch is a reaction called a combustion reaction.In a combustion reaction compound and an oxidant is reacted to produce heat and a new product. Once the reaction occurs thrust makes the rocket lift off the floor, Thrust is sudden or violent lunge with a pointed tip.
The point of this experiment was to learn more about combustion reactions and to to get us started with rockets. We used sugar and potassium nitrate for the engine, skewers for the body, a fuse to ignite it, and tape to put it all together. We started of by making the body of the rocket. We used paper and we rolled it up to make the body. We then tightened it up with tape to make sure that nothing slipped out. Our next step was to use tin foil to cap up the ends. Once the fuel was done being mixed we put the fuel inside the tubing and caped it up. Next we attached a fuse to the end and added a skewer to finish it up. Now the rocket was ready to launch. The point of the experiment was to learn more about combustion reactions and to see how they are used.
Looking Back:
Overall the experiment was pretty much a failure. I mean it was able to lift of the ground but with in seconds it came straight down. While building it I thought I would of gotten more out of it. I was really disappointed with my results but at the same time there was a bright spot towards it. The only bright spot that I got out of it was that I was able to at least get it off the ground. But in the end I did not get the results that I was hoping for.
Looking Beyond:
The science behind the experiment was really quite simple. The reaction that occurred was a combustion reaction and then some basics laws of gravity made it launch. In a combustion reaction compound and an oxidant is reacted to produce heat and a new product. Once the reaction occurs thrust makes the rocket lift off the floor, thrust is sudden or violent lunge with a pointed tip. Put all these together and you get a racket launch.
Looking Inward:
Since I worked alone I didn't really run into any group problems, but at the same time I wish I would of had someone there. It would of been nice to have someone to have some other input while building the rocket.
Looking Forward:
If I could do this lab again there would be a lot of different things that I wished I could changed. For example I would of made sure that I caped the ends better so that it could of had more thrust. I also would of made the rocket lighter. I noticed that I might have put to much tape on the rocket. I was just to nervous that maybe something might of come off, but in the end it might of hindered the overall performance of the rocket.
Take Aways:
Some take aways that I got from the experiment was learning more about rockets. It was a thrilling feeling waiting for the rocket to launch but the outcome if it made me disappointed. But it it only made me want it to try and again until I succeed. Overall it has inspired men to make more rockets.
Today in class we started to actually launch rockets for the the first time. Previously we created rocket engines but we didn't get to actually launch them. This time using simple materials we had our chance to do it for the first time. But as always before we started the experiment we had to go through the key concepts of the lesson. We started of by going over Chemical Reactions. A chemical reaction is the process in which one or more substances changes into one or more substances. Also chemical reactions energy, and energy is either absorbed (endothermic) or given off (Exothermic). In addition we learned about the law of conservation. It states that for any system closed to all transfers of matter and energy, the mass of the system must remain constant over time, as system mass cannot change quantity if it is not added or removed. But what gets the rocket to launch is a reaction called a combustion reaction.In a combustion reaction compound and an oxidant is reacted to produce heat and a new product. Once the reaction occurs thrust makes the rocket lift off the floor, Thrust is sudden or violent lunge with a pointed tip.
The point of this experiment was to learn more about combustion reactions and to to get us started with rockets. We used sugar and potassium nitrate for the engine, skewers for the body, a fuse to ignite it, and tape to put it all together. We started of by making the body of the rocket. We used paper and we rolled it up to make the body. We then tightened it up with tape to make sure that nothing slipped out. Our next step was to use tin foil to cap up the ends. Once the fuel was done being mixed we put the fuel inside the tubing and caped it up. Next we attached a fuse to the end and added a skewer to finish it up. Now the rocket was ready to launch. The point of the experiment was to learn more about combustion reactions and to see how they are used.
Looking Back:
Overall the experiment was pretty much a failure. I mean it was able to lift of the ground but with in seconds it came straight down. While building it I thought I would of gotten more out of it. I was really disappointed with my results but at the same time there was a bright spot towards it. The only bright spot that I got out of it was that I was able to at least get it off the ground. But in the end I did not get the results that I was hoping for.
Looking Beyond:
The science behind the experiment was really quite simple. The reaction that occurred was a combustion reaction and then some basics laws of gravity made it launch. In a combustion reaction compound and an oxidant is reacted to produce heat and a new product. Once the reaction occurs thrust makes the rocket lift off the floor, thrust is sudden or violent lunge with a pointed tip. Put all these together and you get a racket launch.
Looking Inward:
Since I worked alone I didn't really run into any group problems, but at the same time I wish I would of had someone there. It would of been nice to have someone to have some other input while building the rocket.
Looking Forward:
If I could do this lab again there would be a lot of different things that I wished I could changed. For example I would of made sure that I caped the ends better so that it could of had more thrust. I also would of made the rocket lighter. I noticed that I might have put to much tape on the rocket. I was just to nervous that maybe something might of come off, but in the end it might of hindered the overall performance of the rocket.
Take Aways:
Some take aways that I got from the experiment was learning more about rockets. It was a thrilling feeling waiting for the rocket to launch but the outcome if it made me disappointed. But it it only made me want it to try and again until I succeed. Overall it has inspired men to make more rockets.