Rocket Lab

If you shot the rocket at a different angle where would it land?

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment was to accurately predict the distance a rocket would travel at any given angle. In order to make predictions, we used equations we learned in class. 

Materials

• rocket
• nails
• pressure cap
• angle blocks
• ball pump
• measurer
• goggles

horizontal equations

v=∆x/∆t
xf=vt+xi

vertical equations

a=∆v/∆t
∆x=1/2at^2+vit
vf=at+vi

a=-9.8m/s

v=∆x/∆t

v=29.9/4

v=7.475 m/s

cos(65)=7.475/x

vi=17.687 m/s

cos(45)=adj/17.687

vix=12.51 m/s

cos(55)=adj/17.687
cos(35)=adj/17.687
∆x=1/2at^2+vit
40.1=1/2(-9.8)t^2+17.687t
=-4.9t^2+17.687t-40.1
-b+/-√(b^2-4ac)/2a
-17.687+/-√(17.687^2-4(-4.9)(-40.1)/-9.8
-17.687+/-√-473.13
-17.687+/-21.75/-9.8
-39.4/-9.8
t=4.02s

Rocket landed @ 40.1 at 55 degree

Rocket landed @ 34.8m at 65 degree

Time in air for 55 degrees: 4.1s
percent error for length: 28%
percent error for time: 1%