Rocket Project writeup

Introduction: Our rockets were both two liter Coca-Cola bottles with magazines rolled up
for nose cones (attached with duct tape). The magazines were a good addition because they
were just the right weight to steady the rocket but not affect the height. We used cardboard for
the fins on each rocket.

We chose to test if the number of fins on a rocket affects the height (Todds had five fins,
Corrys had three fins). We chose this variable because Todds rocket went higher than most on
a pre-test. Based on this, we figured that the number of fins affected the height.

If more fins affects how a rocket flies then more fins will make it fly higher because it will be
more stable. This question is answerable because by testing two rockets that both have a
different amount of fins, we can see which went higher and how many fins are better.

Procedure: For this project, our variable was the number of fins. One rocket will have
five fins and one will have three. From there we will test to see which one travels higher. In
order to do this effectively, had to come up with a list of our constant variables.
Bottle

2 Lt. Coca-Cola bottle

Nose cone

Cut-up magazine with

tape to attach it

Water

475 ml.

Psi

55

Mass

157.7 g

After making two rockets that have all the listed variables the same, we went on to test.

Blue (Big T) had five fins. Red (Big C) had three fins.
We were unable to keep mass constant because the two bottles were not the same size. We
collected the data by recording the rockets angle of elevation, its hangtime, and the distance
from the launcher that the person who recorded the angle was.

Conclusion: After collecting our data, we concluded that our hypothesis was incorrect. The Big
C which had three fins went higher than The Big T which had five fins. We can conclude that
this is because the Big T creates more drag with 5 fins rather than 3. We tested each rocket at
least 3 times to get the exact measurements. Some difficulties we had in our experiments were
incorrectly measuring the angle of elevation. In order to fix our mistakes, we were able to
relaunch and remeasure to get accurate data. Our testing helped fix our rocket design by
helping us realise that a heavier nose cone will lead the rocket as it ascends and it will help it to
not tumble on liftoff. We highly recommend having a moderately heavy nose cone so the rocket
doesnt tumble. With a heavier nose cone, we also found that rocket tends to fly higer than with
a normal nose cone. We also recommend making absolutely sure there is no chance of your
rocket springing a leak as it is prepped for launch. The last thing we recommend is finishing
your rocket before the testing days so your group can use the full time youre given to get
results in case something goes wrong and you have to backtrack.