Motion and Forces Primer

What makes a balloon fly when the air is let out”

Newton's Third Law of Motion "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

So How Does All This Make A Rocket Fly?

Balanced Forces

Unbalanced Forces

Hello Houston? We Have Lift Off!

So What other forces do we need to know and be able to label? Friction or drag The thrust force

1. Start with your basic 2 liter Coke bottle. 2. Remove the label and the cap retainer ring. 3. Reinforce the bottle with strapping or duct tape. 4. Decide on the number of fins you want and mark fin guides on the bottle.

1. Use printer paper to make fin templates. 2. Transfer your design to plastic "Pocket Folders" and cut out fins. 3. Fold along crease lines, glue the sides together and attach fins to the bottle with strapping or duct tape.

1. Learn about "Center of Mass." 2. Build a nose cone from your 2nd empty soda bottle. 3. Add a bit of weight to the nose cone and measure the total mass of your rocket ( g.) and the center of mass. 4. Adjust both if necessary.

Launch Directions 1. Add 1 liter of water to the rocket. 2. Insert the stopper into the mouth of the bottle. 3. Place the rocket in one of the holes in the launcher. (60 deg. = greatest distance; 90 degrees = greatest height) 4. Attach bicycle pump connector to the valve stem in the stopper. 5. Start pumping. 6. The number of pumps will be decided and everyone will use that number. 7. Pull the launch cable and time the seconds to touchdown.

Principles That Make Rockets Fly This is REALLY important. If you don't get the Center of Mass high enough, your rocket will NOT fly straight!

Rocket Stability This one answers the question, "Why do you need tail fins?"