2-L Rocket Eggmission The Soda-Bottle Rocket Egg Launching Mission

1. How does the water help the rocket at all? Will more or less water affect the distance of the rocket? Why should only 80 psi be used? This project will help me answer these questions when I see the rockets in action.

2. For Jenny and I's rocket, it consisted of cutting a cardboard box into small trapezoids and we cut one of the two plastic 1L soda bottles in half. We then proceeded to equally distribute the trapezoidal pieces around the bottle and duct tape them. Then we filled the bottom half of the bottle that was cut with the material we used to protect the egg and duct taped it to secure it. Then presto! We were done with our rocket!

3. The bottom half our the rocket was filled with 850 mL of water for all trials and was clamped on the launch pad with the hose connected to the bike pump. The bike pump was used to fill the bottom portion with 80 psi of air pressure. After the rocket was stable, the cord was pulled from the hook and the rocket was fired with the water going backwards while the rocket flew forward. Gravity took over once it was mid-flight, and it began to take a nosedive. When the rocket reached the peak of its speed, the acceleration excelled. In its impact, the top of the rocket collided the ground and landed with a thump. The wings of the rocket were constructed to be aerodynamic and efficient, and the bubble wrap acted as a cushion and as a weight.

4. For 2 of the 3 trials, we used bubble wrap coiled around the egg to give it a cushion perspective so the impact is absorbed and the egg would be safe and sound. For the final trial, we decided to add saran wrap and cotton balls in addition to the bubble wrap. All the materials were supposed to act as a pillow so the egg would barely bounce on impact and not crack. The soft and cushion-y supplies were designed to extend the period of time where the impact took place so the collision effect would be minimized.

5. For the first 2 trials the rocket flew 39 meters and in the third 48 meters. The egg only made it through the 1st trial and didn't survive the last one. In all trials the rocket was launched at a 45 degree angle. The rocket was successful in completing the 30 meter requirement but it failed on securing the egg.

6. After watching rockets in flight, I concluded that there can be a perfectly build project with everything balanced and coordinated but it can still fail. From observing the sizes in length for the rocket in general and the wings, balance is everything. It can determine the distance and or impact at the end of flight. I was confused at the beginning how the water helped the rocket at all but from watching I saw that the pressure pumped inside pushed the water out which in turn launched the rocket. I also learned what materials give better or worse results. For example, scotch tapping the wings and rocket together never work because everything will break off. In addition, putting too much weight on one side of the rocket and not the other affects the rocket by either weighing it down or having it hit with a harder thump. Rockets can be a hit or miss.