We built our rocket shorter than other group's, around 20cm in length. We also put 3 fins, 120 degrees apart, as opposed to 4. Just like most model rockets our parachute shoots out the top for a smooth landing. The engine is in the bottom, just like a real rocket used by NASA. The rocket made of paper does not catch on fire from the engine due to the fire paper put inside the body tube of the rocket. We were especially safe when building and launching our rocket.
Stage 1: The launch stage. Impulse launches the rocket into air. Because the thrust force is greater than the weight force, the force of gravity, the rockets shoots into the air. During this time the rocket will accelerate upward.
Stage 2: The coasting stage. Now the thrust force is nonexistent causing the weight force to be the only acting force. Therefore, the rocket will begin to accelerate downward at a rate of -9.8 meters per second squared. The rocket will continue on a parabolic path due to its positive velocity, reaching its maximum height during this stage. The rocket will reach its maximum height for a split second, at this moment the velocity is equal to zero. The rocket will then begin to move downwards with a negative velocity into stage 3.
Stage 2: The coasting stage. Now the thrust force is nonexistent causing the weight force to be the only acting force. Therefore, the rocket will begin to accelerate downward at a rate of -9.8 meters per second squared. The rocket will continue on a parabolic path due to its positive velocity, reaching its maximum height during this stage. The rocket will reach its maximum height for a split second, at this moment the velocity is equal to zero. The rocket will then begin to move downwards with a negative velocity into stage 3.
Stage 3: The recovery stage. Once the engine burns out, the parachute is expelled from the top of the rocket, shooting away the nose cone. Parachutes successfully land rockets safely on the ground due to the drag force. Air becomes caught in the parachute slowing down acceleration and velocity. The mass of the rocket stays the same, the drag force is the factor causing the rocket the fall to the ground slowly.
Our launch, in our opinion, was very successful. The parachute shot out to begin Stage 3 and safely returned to the group. When fired the rocket swirled up instead of firing straight up, during Stage 1. This may have happened either because the body was not long enough or because we had only 3 fins. If we did the project again we would change both.