If you’ve ever shot off a bottle rocket, you’d probably like to know how to make it go even higher. So did Daniel Stenavich, so he made it the main topic of his science project.
The figure shows his project display.
Figure: Project display for “5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . liter — Blast off.”
Hypothesis
I believe that the rocket, when launched, will reach its highest altitude when 50 percent of the bottle’s capacity is filled with water.
Materials
- Bottle rocket (built according to instructions included in the project notebook)
- Rocket launcher (built according to instructions included in the project notebook)
- Measuring cup
- Water
- Angle finder
- Tape measure
Procedures
The following procedures explain how to fill the bottle rocket, launch it using the specified amount of water pressure, and measure the angle formed by the altitude that the rocket reaches.
- Make bottle rocket. (The instructions for this were explained in the Materials section of the student’s project notebook.)
- Make bottle rocket launcher.(The instructions for this were explained in the Materials section of the student’s project notebook.)
- Launch an empty bottle rocket five times. Measure the angle of height with angle finder and record the height in feet.
- Add 200 ml of water to the bottle rocket and launch it five times. Measure the angle of height with angle finder and record the height in feet.
- Add 200 ml of water every 5 launches until the bottle rocket is at full capacity (2,000 ml). Measure the angle of height with angle finder and record the height in feet.
Results
The table shows the results for this project.
Table Height (in Feet) of Bottle Rocket Launches for Each Trial
|
Amounts of Water |
Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
Trial 3 |
Trial 4 |
Trial 5 |
Average |
|
0 ml |
21.1 |
29.1 |
29.1 |
26.4 |
26.4 |
26.42 |
|
100 ml |
48.7 |
54.5 |
83.1 |
60.6 |
63.6 |
62.1 |
|
200 ml |
105 |
90.1 |
83.1 |
113 |
90.1 |
96.26 |
|
300 ml |
97.4 |
117.1 |
105 |
117.1 |
105 |
108.32 |
|
400 ml |
101.1 |
93.7 |
83.1 |
86.6 |
93.7 |
91.64 |
|
500 ml |
93.7 |
105 |
86.6 |
90.1 |
83.1 |
91.7 |
|
600 ml |
105 |
121.4 |
101.1 |
113 |
108.9 |
109.88 |
|
700 ml |
121.4 |
105 |
113 |
113 |
108.9 |
112.26 |
|
800 ml |
144.8 |
121.4 |
113 |
121.4 |
108.9 |
121.9 |
|
900 ml |
125.8 |
103.3 |
105 |
125.8 |
121.4 |
116.26 |
|
1,000 ml |
121.4 |
121.4 |
121.4 |
125.8 |
125.8 |
123.16 |
|
1,100 ml |
113 |
105 |
113 |
113 |
101.1 |
109.02 |
|
1,150 ml |
117.1 |
117.1 |
121.4 |
113 |
125.8 |
118.88 |
|
1,200 ml |
144.8 |
130.3 |
125.8 |
121.4 |
117.1 |
127.88 |
|
1,250 ml |
125.8 |
125.8 |
130.3 |
135 |
125.8 |
128.54 |
|
1,300 ml |
113 |
97.4 |
101.1 |
93.7 |
121.4 |
105.32 |
|
1,400 ml |
86.6 |
108.9 |
69.9 |
66.7 |
101.1 |
86.64 |
|
1,500 ml |
45.8 |
48.7 |
51.6 |
45.8 |
48.7 |
48.12 |
|
1,600 ml |
37.3 |
26.4 |
66.7 |
43 |
18.4 |
38.36 |
|
1,700 ml |
21 |
18.4 |
23.7 |
13.1 |
18.4 |
18.92 |
|
1,800 ml |
7.8 |
10.4 |
5.2 |
7.8 |
13.1 |
8.86 |
|
1,900 ml |
2.6 |
5.2 |
2.6 |
5.2 |
5.2 |
4.16 |
|
2,000 ml |
0 |
2.6 |
0 |
0 |
2.6 |
1.04 |
|
Average |
82.6 |
80.8 |
79.8 |
80.5 |
79.8 |
80.7 |
Conclusions
In most of the launches, the rocket reached the highest altitude when filled with 1200–1250 ml of water. That’s just more than half full.
In conclusion, the hypothesis of filling the bottle with 50 percent water was incorrect. The rocket reached the highest altitude when it was 60 percent full.
This article is brought to you by:
From this Book:
Education.com provides the Science Fair Project Ideas for informational purposes only. Education.com does not make any guarantee or representation regarding the Science Fair Project Ideas and is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, caused by your use of such information. By accessing the Science Fair Project Ideas, you waive and renounce any claims against Education.com that arise thereof. In addition, your access to Education.com’s website and Science Fair Project Ideas is covered by Education.com’s Privacy Policy and site Terms of Use, which include limitations on Education.com’s liability.
Warning is hereby given that not all Project Ideas are appropriate for all individuals or in all circumstances. Implementation of any Science Project Idea should be undertaken only in appropriate settings and with appropriate parental or other supervision. Reading and following the safety precautions of all materials used in a project is the sole responsibility of each individual. For further information, consult your state’s handbook of Science Safety.
Add your own comment