Because ROKIT is a precision water rocket that self launches at a pre-determined
pressure this means that experiments can be performed repeatedly. It is a
visual learning tool for demonstrating the Laws of Motion for all levels
of science education.
There are many experiments that ROKIT can be used for. Our ROKIT Manual Experiment
Book shows over 20 experiments and over 20 activity projects. If you can think
of any other experiments using ROKIT then we would welcome your feedback!
Here are a couple of experiments to get you going:
Measuring The Angle
Of Elevation
Measuring the height achieved in a flight is not so easy. The instrument
we use is called a CLINOMETER and consists of a pair of sights on
a rod and a protractor with a pendulum attached to record the angle
of elevation of the rocket.
To use the clinometer the operator stands
a known distance from the launch site and follows the flight of the
rocket with the sights. At the very top of the flight (the APOGEE)
the plumb bob is trapped against the protractor with a finger and
the angle is read off and recorded. The height of the rocket at apogee
is then calculated by the following formula:
HEIGHT = DISTANCE FROM LAUNCH x
TANGENT of ANGLE of ELEVATION
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using a clinometer to find the angle of elevation of
a rocket at apogee
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Calculating The Height
Younger children may find this calculation difficult. A clinometer template is
provided in the ROKIT Experiments Manual showing direct readings of height
in metres. In practice it is best to use four clinometers spaced evenly around
the edge of a 25m radius circle centred on the middle of the rocket range.
The four readings are taken simultaneously and averaged to give a more accurate
result. |
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Recovery Systems
Many alternatives can be found for recovery systems for the entire rocket,
or for a payload (such as a satellite). Parachutes are the most common,
try taping a paper cup with the bottom removed and placing a small parachute
with a weight attached which will drop out as the rocket “turns over” at
apogee. Alternatively recover the whole rocket as below.
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Make a simple parachute from a 300mm dia. circle of thin polythene.
Cut 3 450mm lengths of strong thread and stick as shown with a disc
of
strong sticky tape. |
Attach the parachute to the bottle with three more discs of strong
tape. |
 |
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Tuck the shroud lines (the thread) under the chute and pull the
chute down over the nose of the rocket for launch. |
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