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jcstack6

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Everything posted by jcstack6

  1. School's been treating me well it's definitely been a lot more work than high school, but manageable and enjoyable.
  2. A partial derivative uses this nice formula. (f)/(x), where f:R^2->R is lim h->0 (f(x+h,y)-f(x,y))/h. Physics is everywhere, waiting, watching.
  3. Launch Report and Debrief Launch Time: 10:32 Team Members Present: Jason Stack, Marcus NIcholas, Michael Kennedy Play-by-Play: We've lifted off and are headed directly up in an attempt to obtain orbit around Kerbin. We then angle our ship slightly to the east to increase the eccentricity of our orbit. We reached 70,000 meters and now a maneuver is being created to obtain orbit around Kerbin. Our first engine has been decoupled. Orbit has been obtained around Kerbin. We have waited a long time to obtain the proper angular distance from Duna. Now a maneuver is being used to create an encounter with an orbit around Duna. An encounter has been created with an orbit around Duna. We have obtained orbit around Duna. Our second set of engines have been decoupled. Now a maneuver is being created so that we can be pulled into Duna's atmosphere. Now we are attempting to land the ship. We have landed on Duna. Now a memorial flag is being placed on the planet in memory of Valentina. Now we are accelerating off of Duna's surface and a maneuver has been used to obtain orbit around Duna. Now a maneuver is being used to encounter Kerbin. An encounter has been created and we are going back to Kerbin. Orbit has been obtained around Kerbin. Now another maneuver is being used to pull us into Kerbin's atmosphere. We decoupled our last engine and are being pulled toward Kerbin's surface. Our parachute has been deployed. We have landed safely on Kerbin. Photographs: Valentina's Memorial Flag Reads: Forever in Memory Time-of-Flight: 2 years, 153 days, 12:22:31 Summary: We accomplished our goal which was to plant a memorial flag on Duna for Valentina. We accomplished this goal and returned safely back to Kerbin. Opportunities / Learnings: We've tested our rocket design that was used to reach Minmus and now Duna and it has been successful twice. We need to improve our landing gear so that it is easier to land on more difficult planets. Strategies / Project Timeline: Our next goal is to reach a further planet to test our rockets ability. Milestone Awards Presented: We orbited Duna and landed on Duna with a safe return. Available Funds: $3,743,188
  4. Pre-Launch Design Release Team Name: Nicholas Enterprises Available Funds: $475,278 Vehicle Name: Mr. Rocket Vehicle Parts List and Cost: Twin boar x2, MK3 Fuselodge x1, Rhino Engine x1, AVT-1 Winglet x1, Rockomax Decoupler x1, Airstream Protective Shell x1, TR-18 Stack Decoupler x2, Terrier Fuel Engine x1, F1-T 400 Tank, RC 0015 RGU x1, MK-1 Command Pod x1, SPL solar panel x2, MK16 Parachute x1, LT-1 Landing Struts x3, MK-7 Nose Cones x2, Launch Stability Enhancers x2, and Radial Decouplers x2. Total cost = $82,090 Design Goals: Our vehicle is designed to venture to Duna and plant a memorial flag in memory of Valentina Kermin. Launch Goal: We plan to accomplish this mission and milestones for landing on Duna. We also hope to receive a 100% for this project by planting a flag on Duna. Pilot Plan: We will launch from the platform and initially head straight up into the air. A maneuver is expected to be used to obtain orbit around Kerbin. At about 70,000 meters, this maneuver will be made to get orbit. After obtaining orbit, we will create another maneuver so that we have an encounter with Duna's orbit. We will gain orbit around Duna. Then we will do another maneuver so that Duna can pull in our rocket so that we can land on Duna. After landing we will exit the ship and place a memorial flag on Duna for Valentina.
  5. Launch Report and Debrief Launch Time: 10:43 Team Members Present: Mike Kennedy, Marcus Nicholas, Jason Stack Play-by-Play: We've lifted off and are headed directly up in an attempt to obtain orbit around Kerbin. We then angle our ship slightly to the east to increase the eccentricity of our orbit. We reached 70,000 meters and now a maneuver is being created to obtain orbit around Kerbin. Our first engine has been decoupled. Orbit has been obtained around Kerbin. Now a maneuver is being used to create an encounter with an orbit around Minmus. An encounter has been created with an orbit around Minmus. We have obtained orbit around Minmus. Our second set of engines have been decoupled. Now a maneuver is being created so that we can be pulled into Minmus's atmosphere. Now we are attempting to land the ship. It is made difficult by Minmus's very small gravitational pull, but we have landed on Minmus despite. Now we are leaving Minmus, immediately turning to the east, attempting to obtain an orbit around Minmus. We have created an orbit around Minmus. Now we are creating a maneuver to encounter an orbit with Kerbin. An encounter has been created and we now are orbiting Kerbin. We have created another maneuver to pull the ship into Kerbin's atmosphere. Our last engine has been decoupled. We are approaching the surface of Kerbin. Our parachute has been deployed and we are slowing down. We have successfully landed on Kerbin and completed our mission. Photographs: Time-of-Flight: 153 days 4:55:03 Summary: We successfully landed on Minmus and back on Kerbin afterward. Our flight consisted of many maneuvers to obtain orbits around Minmus and Kerbin and encounters between the two. We had no casualties and successfully maneuvered the difficulty of landing on Minmus. Our rocket design proved to be the proper design for what we accomplished seeing as we were able to land on Minmus and return to Kerbin safely and successfully. Opportunities / Learnings: We learned how to design a ship that is able to land on different moon's and planets and also able to carry enough fuel to return to Kerbin safely. Strategies / Project Timeline: Now that we have confidence in our ship design, we plan to explore different planets in Kerbin's solar system. Our next conquest will hopefully be a neighboring planet. Milestone Awards Presented: We were awarded $300,000 for landing on Minmus and successfully returning to Kerbin. Available Funds: After the launch we now have $475,728 in available funds.
  6. Pre-Flight Briefing Team Name: Nicholas Enterprises Available Funds: $257,818 Vehicle Name: Mr. Rocket Vehicle Parts List and Cost: Twin boar x2, MK3 Fuselodge x1, Rhino Engine x1, AVT-1 Winglet x1, Rockomax Decoupler x1, Airstream Protective Shell x1, TR-18 Stack Decoupler x2, Terrier Fuel Engine x1, F1-T 400 Tank, RC 0015 RGU x1, MK-1 Command Pod x1, SPL solar panel x2, MK16 Parachute x1, LT-1 Landing Struts x3, MK-7 Nose Cones x2, Launch Stability Enhancers x2, and Radial Decouplers x2. Total cost = $82,090 Design Goals: Our vehicle is designed to reach orbit around minmus, Kerbin's outer moon, land on minmus and return safely to Kerbin. Launch Goal: We expect to achieve the milestone of landing on Minmus with a safe return to Kerbin. We hope to demonstrate that we have the capacity to land on minmus safely and return to Kerbin successfully. Pilot Plan: A maneuver is expected to be used to obtain orbit around Kerbin. At about 70,000 meters, this maneuver will be made to get orbit. After obtaining orbit, we will create another maneuver so that we have an encounter with Minmus' orbit. We will gain orbit around Minmus. Then we will do another maneuver so that minmus can pull in our rocket so that we can land on minmus. After landing we will created another maneuver to orbit Minmus. Then we will use another maneuver to encounter an orbit around Kerbin. Once orbit around Kerbin is obtained, we will create a maneuver so that we are pulled into Kerbin's atmosphere. Then we will land the ship safely on Kerbin.
  7. Nicholas Enterprises Starting Funds: $60,000 Vehicle Name: Mr. Rocket Vehicle Parts and Cost: MK16 Parachute X1, LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine X1, FL-T800 Fuel Tank X1, TT-38K Radial Decoupler X3, RT-10 Hammer Fuel Booster X3, MK1 Command Pod X1, AV-T1 Winglet X3, TR-188 Stack Decoupler X2, Aerodynamic Nose Cone X3, FL-T400 X1, LV- T45 Engine X1. Total Cost- $12,182 Ending Funds- $47,818 Design Goals: Our rocket has been designed to successfully go into orbit around Kerbin and then return safely back to Kerbin. Launch Goal: Our goal for our launch is to go into orbit around Kerbin. Pilot Plan: The pilot should exit Kerbin’s atmosphere and then turn at the proper angle to cause the ship to go into orbit around Kerbin. Illustration: Launch Report and Debrief Launch Time: 10:37 am Team Members Present: Jason Stack, Marcus Nicholas and Michael Kennedy were all present for this launch. Play-by-Play: Initially the rocket was created using the parts listed in the pre-flight briefing. The rocket was launched from Kerbin and angled in order to successfully travel outside of Kerbin's atmosphere. The rocket was then directed into orbit around Kerbin. Kerbin was orbited a few times. The rocket was then returned back to Kerbin by using a maneuver that brought the rocket back into Kerbin's atmosphere. The bottom engines were released, then the second engines, leaving only the pod left. The pod descended to 1,000 meters above Kerbin and then the parachute was deployed. The pod landed safely on Kerbin. Photographs: Time-of-Flight: 4 hours and 5 minutes Summary: Our flight was a great success. We planned to accomplish all initial milestones, including a successful manned orbit and a successful Kerbal EVA. All of these desired milestones were accomplished. Our spaceship and Kerbal manning the ship returned safely to Kerbin after successfully reaching orbit around Kerbin. By reaching a manned orbit around Kerbin, all the initial milestones were accomplished by this launch. Opportunities / Learnings: Establishing what the launch goals are and designing the rocket accordingly is very important. Failure to do so will result in an inability to accomplish any milestones. Strategies / Project Timeline: After this accomplishment, our next goal is to reach orbit around the moon and land on the moon. Milestone Awards Presented: Launch to 10 km - $10,000 Manned launch to 10 km - $20,000 Manned launch to 50 km - $30,000 Achieving stable orbit - $40,000 Achieving stable manned orbit - $50,000 First Kerbal EVA - $60,000 Available Funds: $257,818
  8. Launch Time: 10:37 am Team Members Present: Jason Stack, Marcus Nicholas and Michael Kennedy were all present for this launch. Play-by-Play: Initially the rocket was created using the parts listed in the pre-flight briefing. The rocket was launched from Kerbin and angled in order to successfully travel outside of Kerbin's atmosphere. The rocket was then directed into orbit around Kerbin. Kerbin was orbited a few times. The rocket was then returned back to Kerbin by using a maneuver that brought the rocket back into Kerbin's atmosphere. The bottom engines were released, then the second engines, leaving only the pod left. The pod descended to 1,000 meters above Kerbin and then the parachute was deployed. The pod landed safely on Kerbin. Photographs: Time-of-Flight: 4 hours and 5 minutes Summary: Our flight was a great success. We planned to accomplish all initial milestones, including a successful manned orbit and a successful Kerbal EVA. All of these desired milestones were accomplished. Our spaceship and Kerbal manning the ship returned safely to Kerbin after successfully reaching orbit around Kerbin. By reaching a manned orbit around Kerbin, all the initial milestones were accomplished by this launch. Opportunities / Learnings: Establishing what the launch goals are and designing the rocket accordingly is very important. Failure to do so will result in an inability to accomplish any milestones. Strategies / Project Timeline: After this accomplishment, our next goal is to reach orbit around the moon and land on the moon. Milestone Awards Presented: Launch to 10 km - $10,000 Manned launch to 10 km - $20,000 Manned launch to 50 km - $30,000 Achieving stable orbit - $40,000 Achieving stable manned orbit - $50,000 First Kerbal EVA - $60,000 Available Funds: $257,818
  9. Nicholas Enterprises Starting Funds: $60,000 Vehicle Name: Mr. Rocket Vehicle Parts and Cost: MK16 Parachute X1, LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine X1, FL-T800 Fuel Tank X1, TT-38K Radial Decoupler X3, RT-10 Hammer Fuel Booster X3, MK1 Command Pod X1, AV-T1 Winglet X3, TR-188 Stack Decoupler X2, Aerodynamic Nose Cone X3, FL-T400 X1, LV- T45 Engine X1. Total Cost- $12,182 Ending Funds- $47,818 Design Goals: Our rocket has been designed to successfully go into orbit around Kerbin and then return safely back to Kerbin. Launch Goal: Our goal for our launch is to go into orbit around Kerbin. Pilot Plan: The pilot should exit Kerbin’s atmosphere and then turn at the proper angle to cause the ship to go into orbit around Kerbin. Illustration:
  10. In high school physics we've always been told that test will try to trick you. They'll ask if a 10kg person goes from the earth to the moon how will their mass change. And the answer is always it doesn't. Mass doesn't change, mass doesn't change, mass doesn't change. It's been hammered into our brains. But it's a lie. So the speed of light in a vacuum is 300,000 km/s. This is the fastest speed any object in the universe can travel at. So what happens if you try to accelerate an object going the speed of light? Well picture this: a rocket accelerate to the speed of light, but the thrusters are still pushing on the rocket. You might be tempted to say that the frictional force balances with the thrust of the rocket, so there's no net force. But then how would the rocket have accelerated to the speed of light? There must be a net force. Given that there is a net force, work is being done on the rocket. Therefore, there is a change in kinetic energy, but velocity isn't increasing. That means the other component of kinetic energy must be increasing: mass. In most cases mass is a constant, but when energy cannot be transferred into speed any longer, it has to be transferred into mass instead.
  11. jcstack6

    Double Dominos

    That looks super interesting!
  12. jcstack6

    PolyMagnets

    That's super cool man!
  13. Black holes are often thought of as dark holes sucking matter in towards them by there massive amount of gravitational force. Interestingly enough, however, black holes are anything but black. Black holes might be dark, but they glow. It is well known that black holes decay until they don't have enough energy to sustain their mass, thereby not allowing them to exist any longer. But what does this loss of energy turn into? The slight glow in black holes. This slight glow is due to "Hawking Radiation". It is the slight decay of energy into radiation from black holes over the time of their existence. It is intriguing all the unknown facts about the universe and how much more is left to be discovered!
  14. Yeah yo-yos are the coolest.
  15. jcstack6

    Northern Lights

    That's so interesting and remarkable that a magnetic field could trap particles emitting light.
  16. The speed of light is known as 300,000 km/s and we leave it at that. But this speed is only the speed of light through a vacuum and light doesn't always travel in a vacuum. The slowest recorded speed of light is actually 17 m/s, a speed easily attainable by a car. So what happens then if particles can travel faster than light? Well in many nuclear reactors, this is what happens. Particles travel at a speed greater than the speed of light in that specific atmosphere. When this happens an emission of blue light emerges. This is called Cherenkov Radiation and it can be compared to a sonic boom, which happens when an object is travelling faster than the speed of sound, but with light. It is interesting the concrete ideas we have about physics and specifically light, but all of these concrete "facts" can be manipulated and produce unforeseen outcomes.
  17. Recently in our physics class we were discussing the theory of relativity and how it works in nature. Without learning the math behind the theory yet, the theory is incredibly confusing, but it reminded me of a video we watched last year in my physics class that discussed how observers can change the way particles act. In a certain experiment, physicists shot electrons through a small slit to see the nature of an electron, whether it would act as a wave or as a particle. Incredibly, even though an electron is a particle, when the experiment was first run, it acted as a wave and diffraction occured from its passing through the small slit. The physicists desired to know more about this remarkable discovery so they ran the experiment again, except this time with an extremely accurate slow motion camera recording the electrons movement. In this trial the electrons acted as particles. The physicists were astounded, but checked again and again and realized it was the camera that changed the electrons behavior. A particle, which has no ability to think, changes its behavior based on whether or not it is being observed. I believe this is one of the most fascinating things about physics, how particles, and our planet, changes its actions based on whether or not its certain actions are being observed. Here's a short video explaining the experiment.
  18. jcstack6

    Week 2

    Good job Jeremy.
  19. I was recently driving on a day when it was raining fairly aggressively. I was driving fine when all of a sudden a car headed the opposite direction from me slid right in front of me almost hitting my car. After assessing the accident and making sure everyone was okay I began to think about what made the car slide all the way to the opposite side of the road. As the pavement was wet, the coefficient of friction between the car and the road was decreased. This made it so the traction in his tires didn't help him with turning. He was beginning to slide to his right side, and tried to compensate for the sliding by turning to the left. He turned to far to the left, however, and when the tires hit a dryer spot on the pavement the traction between the tires and the road suddenly increased. This pulled his car hard to the left and then allowed his car to slide all the way over to the other side of the road. It is intriguing how simple physics can become complex when situations, or in this case a changing coefficient of friction, change. So if you're driving in the rain or the snow and begin to slide, remember to keep your wheel straight, don't try to turn to far.
  20. Most people today have iPhone's that have an immensely complex system of wires in them to allow them to function properly. They are filled with wires, small batteries and capacitors to allow for the story of data and basic functions on your phone. But this complex system presents a problem when faced with a magnet. If a magnet is brought closer to a phone it will cause a changing magnetic field around the phone's wires. The change in the magnetic field will cause current to move in the direction opposing the change in the magnetic field. But doesn't the complexity of iPhone's help prevent this problem? Actually it makes it easier to destroy an iPhone with a magnet. Since magnetic fields can only affect current perpendicular to their direction, the complexity of an iPhone's circuits provide ample opportunity for the changing magnetic field to align properly with a coil of wire thereby inducing a current in your iPhone and destroying it. So next time you're near a magnet don't rub your phone up against it!
  21. jcstack6

    Popping Popcorn

    Now I know the physics behind the best movie snack.
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