Lab+Report+(ATM+-+34)

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 * Purpose:**

The purpose of this project was to successfully design and launch a small scale rocket from "scratch", using our own unique materials. We were also charged with creating an informative presentation of our experiment for the benefit of group learning (the "Wiki").


 * Materials:**


 * Wood
 * Poster board
 * Wood Glue
 * Epoxy Glue
 * Bungee cord
 * Plastic Parachute
 * Plastic Ninja
 * Paper Clip
 * Dime roller
 * Spray Paint
 * Paper
 * Tape (Masking and Sello)
 * Drinking straw
 * Fleecy (TM) Fleece dryer sheet


 * Procedure:**


 * Construction**
 * 1) Brainstorm multiple rocket designs within the group
 * 2) Calculate sizes and amounts of materials needed for each part of the rocket
 * 3) Gather required materials
 * 4) Cut out fins to calculated length (Approx. 4 inch side along body tube)
 * 5) Make nosecone from 1" wood dowel (sanded down)
 * 6) Construct engine housing from dime roller and bent paper clip
 * 7) Attache bungee cord to underside of nosecone (wood glue and tape)
 * 8) Construct body tube by rolling approx. 11" tall piece of poster board around a 7/8" wooden dowel frame until body is approx. 1" in diameter; glue together with special epoxy
 * 9) Attache other end of bungee cord to inside of body tube (wood glue)
 * 10) Measure proper location for each fin on the body tube
 * 11) Attache fins to the body tube (wood glue)
 * 12) Attache parachute and plastic ninja to the bungee cord very close to the nosecone (tape)
 * 13) Attache straw along side of body tube for launch guide (tape)
 * 14) Fold and insert parachute and plastic ninja into body tube
 * 15) Spray paint finished product
 * 16) Insert dryer sheet into body tube for wadding to protect parachute


 * Launch**
 * 1) Insert engine into engine housing and held in place with a paper clip
 * 2) Fold ignition clip (provided at launch) into engine and inserted plug to prevent loosening of clip
 * 3) Slide rocket onto launch system guide wire using pre-attached straw
 * 4) Attache alligator electrical clips to ignition clip
 * 5) Launch rocket and record necessary information


 * Data and Observations:**


 * Time Up (launch to parachute deployment) || 3.62 seconds ||
 * Time Down (parachute deployment to touchdown) || 2.00 seconds ||
 * Angle of Elevation || 28.0 degrees ||
 * Maximum Ascension Height || 26.6 meters ||

We saw that our rocket performed extremely well during our first run, even though there was a low initial angle of elevation. The parachute failed to deploy during the second launch, but out angle of elevation was, to the naked eye, superior to that of our first launch.


 * Analysis:**


 * Tan28 = x/50**
 * 50(Tan28) = x**
 * 50(0.531709431) = x**
 * 26.6 = x**


 * Conclusion:**

Since our purpose was to design and build our own unique rocket and successfully launch it, we have concluded that this experiment was a success. We launched twice with our rocket, and it was still in fully working condition. The poster board body tube was very sturdy and held together extremely well. We had a few problems initially with the engine not firing up, but they were easily fixed by adjusting the ignition clip. Also, in our second launch our parachute didn't deploy. This was due to the fact the engine fired out the wrong end, accelerating our rocket about 4 inches into the ground. Miraculously our rocket suffered no damage, only a little dirt on the nose cone. All in all, this whole experiment was a resounding success.


 * Sources of Error:**

Probably the most obvious source of error that the rocket wasn't launched completely vertically. Of course we also have human error, which would include the timing (Time up and time down) and the angle measurement.