Science behind Rocket Engines:
This week we did a rocket engine lab but before we got to do the actual lab, we had to learn the science behind what we're doing. So we did a class lab on the periodic table and the different reactions that happen. Each group/table got to make small rocket engines using the reaction between potassium nitrate and sorbitol which is sugar. But before we did that we had to learn about the periodic table and why we are able to make a rocket engine from potassium nitrate and sugar. While Andrew was giving us the lecture about the periodic table, we learned how to draw an atom structure and the dot structure. The way you do that is first, you draw the nucleus which contains protons and electrons. The number of protons is the same as the total number of electrons. You can find this number by looking at what is called the atomic number. The atomic number is written at the top right corner of an element on the periodic table chart. In order to find the number of neutrons, you have to subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass. The stomach mass of an element is located just below the element label.
Reflection:
So since we we're trying to make a rocket engine, we needed the following materials: a small tube, cement and of course rocket fuel. At the bottom, there is a cement barrier with a small opening, and this creates chamber pressure. All the fuel will empty through this small hole, and the chamber pressure is needed for thrust. Without thrust the rocket engine wouldn't be able to lift off the ground. In the middle, there is the fuel, and the fuel is a reaction between potassium nitrate and sugar. The ratio of potassium nitrate to sugar in this mixture is 65% to 35%. The potassium nitrate provides the oxygen molecules needed for this reaction, and the sugar provides the carbons, hydrogen and some other oxygen molecules.
Andrew had to heat up the fuel mixture in a beaker on a hot plate until it looked like it had a syrup type texture. While that was happening, we had to tape the flattest side of our PVC pipe closes. Once the fuel was liquified enough, it was transferred very carefully almost to the top but not quite and left alone without movement to cool down. Now, there was hydraulic cement that was to be put in the rest of the pipe to fill. We had to let those harden before we drilled the smallest canal that allows the fuel to escape while still building chamber pressure.
This week we did a rocket engine lab but before we got to do the actual lab, we had to learn the science behind what we're doing. So we did a class lab on the periodic table and the different reactions that happen. Each group/table got to make small rocket engines using the reaction between potassium nitrate and sorbitol which is sugar. But before we did that we had to learn about the periodic table and why we are able to make a rocket engine from potassium nitrate and sugar. While Andrew was giving us the lecture about the periodic table, we learned how to draw an atom structure and the dot structure. The way you do that is first, you draw the nucleus which contains protons and electrons. The number of protons is the same as the total number of electrons. You can find this number by looking at what is called the atomic number. The atomic number is written at the top right corner of an element on the periodic table chart. In order to find the number of neutrons, you have to subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass. The stomach mass of an element is located just below the element label.
Reflection:
So since we we're trying to make a rocket engine, we needed the following materials: a small tube, cement and of course rocket fuel. At the bottom, there is a cement barrier with a small opening, and this creates chamber pressure. All the fuel will empty through this small hole, and the chamber pressure is needed for thrust. Without thrust the rocket engine wouldn't be able to lift off the ground. In the middle, there is the fuel, and the fuel is a reaction between potassium nitrate and sugar. The ratio of potassium nitrate to sugar in this mixture is 65% to 35%. The potassium nitrate provides the oxygen molecules needed for this reaction, and the sugar provides the carbons, hydrogen and some other oxygen molecules.
Andrew had to heat up the fuel mixture in a beaker on a hot plate until it looked like it had a syrup type texture. While that was happening, we had to tape the flattest side of our PVC pipe closes. Once the fuel was liquified enough, it was transferred very carefully almost to the top but not quite and left alone without movement to cool down. Now, there was hydraulic cement that was to be put in the rest of the pipe to fill. We had to let those harden before we drilled the smallest canal that allows the fuel to escape while still building chamber pressure.