Jump to content
  • entries
    42
  • comments
    44
  • views
    10,995

How bottle rockets work

MrMuffinMan

Entry posted by MrMuffinMan

524 views

 Share

A bottle rocket works because of Newton's third law of motion. As more air is pumped into the "tank" the pressure increases so that when the restraint holding the rocket in place is removed, the pressurized air forces the water out of the bottle. Newton's third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that water exerts an upward force on the bottle itself. This is what sends it into the air. A nose cone works by cutting through the air instead of the blunt bottom of the bottle forcing itself through the air which would increase drag. Fins help by stabilize the flight via air flowing over them helping keep them and the rocket in line. Finally the parachute works by increasing the drag force caused by air so much that it slows the rocket down to a speed safe for landing

 Share

0 Comments

Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...