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Are you looking for some topics to present that can add
enthusiasm in your science class? rocketry and space
exploration, like no other subject, have a way of captivating
students that facilitates their learning of science. They
they have so much fun, they don’t even realize that
They are learning basic science concepts.
To reap the benefits of this study area, you can use
your school computer to explore many different sciences
topics In the January 2005 issue of the education magazine,
“Tech Directions” (http://www.techdirections.com), there are
an article by Spencer C. Wilson of JR Fugett Middle School
in West Chester. In it, he describes how he uses a rocket.
design software, called RockSim (http://www.rocksim.com) for
show students the engineering design process.
In this article, I would like to give you some other ideas about
how to use model rocket design software to demonstrate
other basic science concepts. Here are some benefits to
using RockSim software:
1. Allows the student to simulate hundreds of rocket flights
very quickly, this saves a lot of money! Just think of him
time saved too. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars
buying engines and hours and hours of time building different
configurations, launch, recovery and repacking of rockets
to test a control function.
2. Security. When you go out to fly rockets, knowing how
they will behave is an important aspect of safety. precautions
It can be made. By running the simulations, students learn
what concepts contribute to keeping the actual launch safe.
3. The scientific value is impressive. Each launch simulation
generates a mountain of useful data. Analyzing this data is
A fantastic way to teach the scientific method.
4. Students love software because it’s fun! has characteristics
like a video game, so students may not realize how much
they are learning at the same time.
5. RockSim software is the same tool they use
real rocketry professionals, such as NASA, military
contractors and universities. So that you can feel safe
the results you get from the program.
6. The software allows students to explore their creativity.
They can design very different looking models, while
learn engineering skills, assembly steps, and physics.
These are just a few of the many topics you can explore with
rocksim:
1. Aerodynamics and drag reduction.
2. Forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust and gravity.
3. Projectile motion.
4. Rocket propulsion used for space travel.
5. Atmospheric studies: how do temperature and pressure influence?
affect performance?
6. Planetary differences: how the same rocket works
on different planets of our solar system.
7. Dynamics and harmonic motion with damping.
8. Engineering: how the pieces fit together.
9. Newton’s laws of motion.
10. Artistic expression – because each student can design a
different looking rocket, and change the colors of the
components to further increase the uniqueness of the rocket.
11. Explain distance, speed, and acceleration.
12. Properties of materials, such as density and volume.
13. The importance of weight and balance (CG position) when
design rockets.
14. Explain that Work = Force X Distance.
15. Explain the concepts of Kinetic and Potential Energy.
16. Showing free fall and terminal velocity.
17. The importance of units and unit conversion.
18. The importance of following instructions.
19. Data export and use of spreadsheet programs to perform
data reduction and manipulation
20. To show why multistage and cluster rocket motors are
used in real rockets.
21. Concept of stored chemical energy (in the rocket
propellant) and how it is converted into mechanical energy.
22. Concept of efficiency: get the most out of it
of the least energy effort. It can be explained by the
different types of propellant formulations.
23. Show the concept of momentum and how it affects the
optimum rocket mass.
24. Find the optimal launch angle for breezy conditions.
25. Optimum launch angle for distance (ballistic curves),
and how it varies with the thrust curve of the engine.
26. Show how the distribution of mass affects the dynamics
rocket stability.
27. Proof of the concept of “Numerical Precision” — the
The more iterations are performed, the higher the accuracy.
28. Show how components of different shapes affect statics
rocket stability.
29. Compare the thrust curves of different engines. This can
show how different geometries (hole size, location,
dimensions) affect the thrust produced by the rocket.
30. Concept of “Impulse:” which is a pushing force multiplied
for the length of time the thrust is created. The bigger the
boost, the more power the engine has.
As you can see, the RockSim software is a versatile tool.
You will save hundreds of dollars because it can be used in a
Variety of shapes.