Italy High School

Bottle Rockets

Web Quest for Physics

Introduction

Acme Rocket Company has commissioned you to design a simple bottle rocket kit for children using minimum and available supplies.  They also will need complete instructions for building the rocket.  The person with the highest soaring rocket wins the contract. 

Task

You will build a bottle rocket that soars as high as possible.  You will also keep a journal of the days you work and the problems you are having.  Also you will write a 2-page report on your findings.  You will also do a presentation at the launch site and a self-evaluation at the end.  Primary work for this research project will be done out of class.

Process

1. You will use the Big6 research method or the Scientific Method to help in this project.

2. In the library, look for these sources to help with your project:

--in the reference section in regular and science encyclopedias

--in the nonfiction science section         

--on the OPAC 

3. First, read about Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

4. Next, read NASA’s Beginner’s Guide to Propulsion

5. Then, review the properties of inertia in Columbia Encyclopedia.

6. Finally, review acceleration in the Physics Classroom (be sure to check out the animation!)

7. The following sites show a variety of ways to construct and power bottle rockets:

NASA Water Rocket

Real Water Rockets (a variety of links for different types)

Water Rocket Fins Index

Water Rocket Launchers Index

Water Rockets Recovery Systems Index

8. Now that you have reviewed bottle rocket construction and the physics behind the project, here are the guidelines for building your rocket:

   1. Must use a 2-liter plastic bottle

   2. Must use only air and water to make the bottle fly

   3. No more than 2 people in a group

   4. The rocket must go at least 2 feet in the air to be considered working.

9. Keep a working journal of your project.

10. Type a 2-page report describing the physics involved in your rocket, research you have done, how your rocket works, and a labeled scaled diagram of your rocket.

11. Prepare a presentation at the launch site when you demonstrate your rocket.

12. Submit a self-evaluation on how well you think you did on this report.  Include:

--What did I do that was really well done?

--How could I improve next time?

--What sources were the most useful?

--What sources or equipment did I need to do a better job that I didn’t have this time?

Evaluation

A working rocket is worth 50 points, the paper is worth 30 points, and flight high as the press box is worth 20 points. 

Deadlines:

October 31—review syllabus

November 15—journal check

November 28—presentation with typed outline

December 6—launch rockets and turn in papers (NO late projects accepted)

December 7—self evaluation due

Conclusion

At the end of this project you will become an expert on the physics behind a working rocket…and hopefully win that contract from Acme Rocket Company!

Credits

Rocket clip art courtesy of Princess Crafts.

created 28 October 2005