Aerodynamics is the study of how things move through the air and water. By understanding the principles of aerodynamics, experts in the field can design airplanes, ships, and cars that can move faster and more efficiently, using less fuel to travel greater distances than ever before.

My objective was to find out if rocket simulations are accurate. My hypothesis was that rocket simulations would be accurate to 20% of the actual measured values.

Have you ever wondered if a rocket simulation can accurately predict the flight characteristics of model rockets? In this experiment, you will find out if rocket simulations can accurately predict the flight characteristics of model rockets.

Project Title: Can Rocket Simulations Accurately Predict the Flight Characteristics
of Model Rockets?

Objectives/Goals

My objective was to find out if rocket simulations are accurate. My hypothesis
was that rocket simulations
would be accurate to 20% of the actual measured values.

Methods/Materials

Material List:
6 Drafts of Rockets; 
1 Calculator; 
1 Triple Beam Balance Scale; 
6 rockets; 
2 Estes Altitude Finders; 
1 Estes Porta-Pad# II; 
1 Electronic Beam Launch controller; 
2 Stopwatches; 
6 Estes A8-3 Engines.

Procedure:

1. Obtain Materials on Material list; 
2. Determine The Mass of rocket by weighing it on scale; 
3. Determine diameter of rocket using draft; 
4. Determine the Area of rocket in
Square Meters using the following equation: 
A=d*(0.5*(diameter in inches/12)*.3048)2= dr2; 
5. Determine engine thrust and impulse from engine specifications; 
6. Compute Burn Time for the engine: impulse/thrust; 
7. Determine k: k= (0.5*1.2 kg/cubic meter*.75*area); 
8. Compute Gravitational force: Mass*9.8 m/sec=M*g; 
9. Calculate velocity at burn out : velocity=q[1-exp(-x*(impulse/thrust) / [1+ exp
(-x*(impulse/thrust)],
where x =2*k*q/Mass; 
10. Calculate altitude at end of boost = [-Mass/2*k) * ln[Thrust-mass*9.8
m/sec*velocity2]/mass*9.8 meters/sec; 
11. Calculate altitude at end of coast phase:
[Mass/2*k]*ln(Mass*9.8 meters/sec+k*velocity2)]/Mass*9.8 meters /sec; 
12. Sum steps 9 and 10 to come up with final altitude; 
13. Calculate using the following equations: qa =
sqrt(M*g / k), qb = sqrt(g*k / M),
ta = arctan(v / qa) / qb; 
14. Add burn time to ta to come up with time to apogee; 
15. Divide altitude by time to apogee to come up with speed in feet per second; 
16. Convert feet per second into MPH by multiplying speed in feet per second by .6818; 
17. Launch Rocket and measure
altitude and speed with
altitude finder and stopwatch; 18. Repeat for every rocket used.

Results

The expected values came within 20% of the actual values.

Conclusions/Discussion

Rocket Simulations CAN Predict the flight characteristics of model rockets.
Summary Statement
This project is about determining the accuracy of mathematical simulations using
model rockets.

Help Received

Mom and Dad helped build board, Teacher helped correct papers.

Can Rocket Simulations Predict Flight?

Can Rocket Simulations Accurately Predict the Flight Characteristics of Model Rockets?

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Can Rocket Simulations Predict Flight?

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