Water rockets - Aerodynamics

Aim: To investigate the best design features for your water rocket.

What is a water rocket?

At it's simplest, a water rocket is basically an upside down fizzy drink bottle which has had a 'nose' cone and some fins added.

The nose cone 

The job of the nose cone is to make the rather snub-nosed end of the fizzy drink bottle more aerodynamic.Also if you have 'payload' on you rocket, or a parachute mechanism this is probably where it will be placed.

The fins

Others might disagree, but I think the fins are the parts of a rocket that really give a rocket its character. Technically, the fins are important for ensuring that the rocket flies smoothly Once we have added the fins and the nose cone, we have something which looks like a rocket. But how do we make it go like a rocket? First we need to add some water, and some kind of release mechanism, that will keep the water in the bottle, until we choose to release it. The water will then leave the bottle through its nozzle. Typically the bottle will be between about one quarter and one third filled with water. 

Flight - Aerodynamics

Aim: To look at the 4 main forces of flying and how these can be overcome.

Hypothesis: I think that.......

Method: Working in pairs you are going to make a paper wing and experiment with it.

1. Make a paper wing out of A4 paper 
2. On the field you will need to record and observe how 5 different changes affect the way it flies.

Plane type	How does it behave?	Time ( secs)
Paper sheet, drop	It wobbles to the ground.	1s 45ms
Paper with fold down middle, drop	It was wobble and spinning to the ground.	1s 71ms
Paper with fold and 1 paper clip, drop	It floated to the ground.	1s 95ms
Fold, 2 clips, rudder, drop	It swayed until it touched the ground.	1s  69ms
Fold, 2 clips, rudder throw	It floated and swayed until it crash to the ground.	3s 20ms

Findings:

• With unfolded paper it took 1s 45ms to drop to the ground.
• With a fold through the middle it took 1s 71ms to drop to the ground.
• With the fold through the middle and a little fold at the top with a paper clip it took 1s 95ms. 
• With the fold through the middle and 4 more little folds at the top and 1 fold on each side with an extra paper clip it took 1s 69ms.
• With the fold through the middle and 4 more little folds at the top and 1 fold on each side with an extra paper clip it took 3s 20ms the fly.

Flight

Brainstorm: What are the forces acting on an aircraft?

1.   Gravity/Weight
2.   Drag
3.   Lift 
4.  Thrust 

How can we overcome some of these forces

Force	Their effect on a plane	How to overcome them?
Gravity / Weight	Makes the plane go down	Making things lighter
Drag	Makes the plane go slower	Making things go faster
Lift	The plane lifts of the ground	Making things lighter
Thrust	Makes the plane go forward	Powerful engine

Interacting spheres

Biosphere - Life 
Hydrosphere - Water
Lithosphere - Ground 
Atmosphere - Air

Beside each interaction, write the names of the 2 spheres that  are interacting

1.     A tree is blown down by wind - Biosphere & Atmosphere                      

2.     A person gets caught in the rain - Biosphere & Hydrosphere

3.     Hail damages a sugar cane crop - Hydrosphere & Biosphere

4.     Air next to the ground becomes warm - Atmosphere & Lithosphere

    

5.     Water vapor condenses - Hydrosphere & Atmosphere

6.     Lightning strikes a park ranger - Atmosphere & Biosphere

7.     A flash flood forms - Atmosphere & Hydrosphere 

8.     A puddle seeps into the ground Hydrosphere & Lithosphere

9.     Cumulonimbus clouds form - Atmosphere & Hydrosphere

10.   A tornado destroys a zoo - Atmosphere and Biosphere

Hydrosphere & Biosphere



Hydrosphere & Biosphere



Lithosphere & Biosphere

Spheres

Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere 

Biosphere 
The biosphere also known as the ecosphere, is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems. It can also be termed the zone of life on Earth, a closed system, and largely self-regulating.


Hydrosphere 
The hydrosphere is the liquid water component of the Earth. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The hydrosphere covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth and is the home for many plants and animals.


Lithosphere 
A lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet, or natural satellite, that is defined by its rigid mechanical properties

Atmosphere 
An atmosphere is a layer or a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is held in place by the gravity of that body

1. How much of the earth is made up by hydrosphere? 70%
2. How much of the earth is made up by lithosphere / ground? 30%
3. What is the atmosphere made up of? 78% nitrogen/ 21% oxygen 
4. What does the biosphere contain? All aspects of life