Experiment: How aerodesign affects flight
NASA: Beginners Guide to Aerodynamics

Principle: It is is easier to calculate speed when one assumes
that air resistance does not impact flight speed.

Hypothesis:A rocket with an aerodynamic nose will fly faster
and higher than a rocket with a blunt nose.

Experiment: Take the pneumatic rocket launcher and
inclinometer outside. Wear safety glasses, keep safety on until
field of fire is clear of personnel and rocket is aimed in a safe
direction. Set Launcher at 85 degrees.

  1. Have observer take Inclinometer 100 feet away from launch.
  2. Pump pressure to 60 psi; Insert and fire rocket with blunt
    nose and measure how high the rocket flies.
  3. Pump pressure to 60 psi; Insert and fire rocket with
    pointed nose and measure how high the rocket flies.

Conclusions: Have students do calculations and discuss what
they learned.


Results of this Experiment

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