Science 10 Motion

Investigation

Title: Was That A Bird? A Plane?

Background: Fast motion and the objects that create it attract our attention. Rockets are just one example.

Process:

1. Create a simple rocket from one plastic drinking straw and vanes made of boxboard or some other light, stiff material. (Boxboard is the grey, stiff paper from which many food boxes are made - look at the inside of a cereal box.) You decide the number, shape and placement of the vanes. Glue or tape them to the rocket body.

2. Make an accurate sketch (not necessarily lifesize) of your design showing placement and dimensions.

3. At the appropriate time and location, launch the rocket. Record the downrange distance in terms of the number of tiles. Record the distance for each rocket in your group. There may be time for two trials.

Note: all people MUST be off the range when a rocket is being launched. The launcher is rubber band powered but the rockets fly rapidly and pose a potential danger to your face and eyes!

Questions:

1. Explain the behavior of your rocket. Why did it fly straight or crooked? Why did it travel far or just plop on the ground close to the launcher?

2. Think of design changes to your rocket and suggest how they might affect its performance.