Work investigation – Air Rockets
Name:______________
Problem: How can the quantity of work done on an air rocket system be measured using simple
equations?
Purpose: To investigate the amount of work done on an air rocket system.
Procedure: Air rockets will be fired and their hang time (total time in the air) will be measured.
Analysis: Time data will be used to solve the problem (W = FΔd)
Background:
W = FΔd
•
In order to solve this equation, we need to determine F and Δd
o F = ma
 m = mass of the rocket
 a = vertical acceleration of the rocket (-9.81m/s2)
o d is the vertical distance the rocket travels (max height)
 d will be determined using some physics equations that you will be introduced
to in Grade 11.
 d = 0.5at2
• a = -9.81 m/s2
• t = the time required for the rocket to reach its maximum height. This
value will be exactly half of its total hang time.
•
In addition to answering the problem of the investigation, we can go one step further and
calculate the initial speed (vertical) of the rocket using the following relationship:
o W = ∆E = 0.5mv2
t (hang time) = _______________
Data and Analysis (show all of your work including any formula manipulations):
F = ma
m = ___________
F=
a = 9.81 m/s2
d = -0.5at2
a = -9.81 m/s2
d=
t = _____________
W = FΔd
F = ____________
W=
Δd = ___________
W = ΔE = 0.5mv2
W = ____________
m = ____________
Questions
1. List three possible sources of error in the collection of the data for the investigation.
2. If you were to do this investigation again, what improvements would you make in order to
eliminate (or reduce) the errors you described in the previous question?
3. Were there any assumptions that you had to make when collecting the data?