Experiment: Calculation of Speed

Principle: It is possible to use know numbers we know,
like the velocity with which gravity pulls an object towards
the center of earth and time an object is in the air, to
calculate the speed with which a rocket launched.

Hypothesis: The greater the launch pressure the faster a
rocket will fly.

Experiment: Take the pneumatic rocket launcher 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. Pump pressure to 20 psi with empty payload; Measure
    seconds in air.
  2. Pump pressure to 40 psi with empty payload; Measure
    seconds in air.
  3. Pump pressure to 60 psi with empty payload; Measure
    seconds in air.

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

Results of this experiment

5 seconds = 45 mph; 7 seconds = 60 mph;
9 seconds = 75 mph; 11 sec = 90 mph

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