Water bottle rockets – Science

Our Times: 1.87   –   2.34  –  2.09  –  2.47  –  1.80  –  2.10

Average time: 2.11

Distance: 29.10 meters

Speed: 13.79 meters per second

 

Aim: The purpose of the bottle rocket experiment was to observe the forces acting on an object and how they affected its flight path and acceleration. As well as speed.

Equipment: For this experiment, we didn’t need a lot of materials, as there were only 4 key materials needed for this experiment. However, that’s not including all the materials we wanted to use to make our rocket look its best and enhance its aerodynamics. So overall, we ended up using:                                                                                                                                                                                                  –  Red paper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  –  Yellow paper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            –  White paper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              –  Card board                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               –  Coloured pens/pencils                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          –  Scissors

And for the actual launch process we used:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                –  A 30 meter measuring tape                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  –  Stop watches                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            –  Water                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        –  Launch Station                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        –  Rubber cork                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              –  Air pump

Method: The method for this experiment was quite straightforward forward build the rocket, launch the rocket. But here’s a more detailed explanation.                                                                                 1) First of all, we grabbed a bottle (our one was an old Pepsi bottle), then we planned the design around the aerodynamics and looks. We ended up choosing a design based on Lightning McQueen. To do this, we taped red paper around the bottle and added extras to make it look like him.

2) Next, we filled the bottle 1/3 of the way up with water before taking it outside to the launch station, ready to be launched.

3) To launch, we plugged the bottle with the rubber cork and attached the air pump to it before placing it on the launch station.

4) When we pumped the pump to make the air pressure release the plug 9 people had stopwatches ready to time the bottle to get a more accurate result.

Discussion:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Forces: There were four different types of forces acting on our rocket during its flight they were lift, gravitational pull, push and drag.  These forces would have been balanced at the peak of the rocket’s flight before gravity took over, making the forces unbalanced. These forces are slightly different for each bottle rocket depending on its shape and weight; They also change throughout the flight. For example, our rocket went in a straight line quite far, while someone else’s didn’t go very far and spiralled in the air. This is because their forces were unbalanced. This can all be defined under net force, which is the total amount of force acting on an object in a direction.

The change of forces: Forces change a lot during the flight of the rockets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            First, the thrust force is the strongest because it’s just been launched, and the lift will also be quite strong as it’s travelling up very fast.                                                                                                                  Next, when the rocket reaches its peak height, the weight or gravitational pull is at its strongest, pulling it towards the ground. The friction is also very strong now as the rocket is slowing down.        Finally, when the rocket lands or crash-lands in some cases, all the forces are equal as it’s not moving anymore.

Why were all the results different? All the results were different because of the way the rockets were designed.  As all the aero-dynamics were different, the amount of water that was used to power the rocket could have also played a part in how far it went, as a less filled rocket wouldn’t have as much thrust as one with slightly more water.

Net forces: Net force is the amount of force acting upon an object in a direction. E.g. the net force for our rocket would be the upward thrust created from the water leaving the bottle creates an upwards net force, causing the rocket to accelerate upward.

Physics Concepts: Newton’s second law of motion can be linked to this experiment as it states ” Force = mass times acceleration / F=ma”. We have been using this law of motion to help us calculate speed, mass and acceleration of the rocket and other objects this term.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Newtons first law of motion can also be linked to this experiment as it states “An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.” This can be seen in this experiment as the rocket stays at rest until the water is pressurized enough to launch it into the air. The water in this case is the unbalanced force.

Conclusion:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            At the end of every experiment, you can improve the prototype or the experiment in general. These improvements are important because everything can be made better and changed to get better results. And if we never improved anything, we would stay at the same place, and nothing would be modernised, and everything would be outdated and useless. But for experiments, if we never added improvements, we wouldn’t learn.

Symbolism–Catherine called Birdy movie

In the movie Catherine called Birdie, when Catherine releases the doves at the end, this symbolises Catherine being at peace with herself and being set free. This is because during the movie Catherine is compared to a bird, showing that her peace is trapped in a cage like a bird. This means that just like the doves in the cage, Catherine is trapped by her life because of her father and the restrictions she has as a female. Overall, the freeing of the doves at the end of the movie symbolizes that Catherine is now free, and the type of bird used (the dove) also sybolizes that her inner peace is also no longer trapped.

Paper Boat–Science

Something that went well in this boat design is the way the base is shaped to displace a large amount of water to help with the buoyancy. Because of this, our boat was able to hold 14 weights before it sank.

Buoyancy is when water is pushed out of the way by an object, and when it rushes to fill the space again, the water pushes against the object, keeping it afloat. Buoyancy is going to be greater when the object is filled with more air because water is more dense than air. Even if the object is made of steel and aluminium, if it has the correct amount of air in it, it will float and become buoyant.

Our boat was very buoyant due to the large amount of water its hull displaced.

 

 

CAA Reflection

I believe that I was half prepared. This is because I think I was prepared educationally. However, I believe that I was not mentally and I was very stressed going into the exam. Something I found difficult was the silence and having to stay for the full 2 hours, as I had finished my exam in the first 1:15 and had to sit there for 45 minutes in silence. I did not do anything at home to help me prepare because I did lots of preparation work in class, and I felt I didn’t need to. Looking back, I think I should have done at least a little bit of work on just the basics. After the exam I felt partly confident because the exam was not as hard as I believed it was going to be.

Science-Egg drop

Aim: The aim of this egg-drop experiment was to learning about forces and motion. The idea of the parachute test was to see the real-time effects of gravity and different forces on an object. and how different designs equate to different fall times, and how safe the egg is when you drop it.

Research: To make sure our parachute was as effective as possible, we did lots of extensive research on the best types of parachutes and how to create the most lift/resistance to protect our egg. After a lot of consideration, our group decided on a hot air balloon design with a plastic dish as the basket.

Method:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     1) The first step of this process was planning. This is when we put all our research together and sketched a design incorporating the features of a parachute balloon and a basket filled with bubble wrap to cushion the egg as it landed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2) The next step was to actually build the design we had planned. To do this, we created a list of all the materials we needed; This included bubble wrap, a plastic sheet, a plastic container, string and of course the egg. We then built it, and we had a little trouble connecting the string to the plastic dish, but we ended up melting the plastic and creating small holes around the edge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3) Once we had done these two steps, we then had to drop it from M13 into M9, which was the main show. With our arms straight out in front of us, we dropped them off the ledge.

Results:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Luckily, ours survived with no injury sustained, unlike the control egg that we dropped with no parachute or cushioning to protect it, which ended up dying a quick death as it smashed on impact.

Discussion:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Some of the parachutes fell faster than others because of the lack of air resistance/lift that the parachutes should have provided. Some also fell faster because of the weight of the basket that the egg was sitting in. Because of the extra weight, it increased the force of the gravitational pull, making the up and down forces unbalanced and the gravitational pull larger than the lift force.

Conclusion:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I would improve our parachute design next time by making the basket that the egg is in lighter because the extra weight made it fall faster. But overall, I think our design was pretty good.

Burger competition

- Identify the different ingredients you used to create colour and how did it enhanced the overall appearance of your burger? 

Carrot lettuce and different sauces for colour.

- What ingredients did you include in your burger to create texture and what was the effect on the product as you ate it? 

Lettuce, carrot, sesame seeds and onion for texture. Gave it some crunch to counteract the softness of the bun and patty. 

- Name two different ingredients you used to enhance the flavour of your meat pattie. 

 Pesto to add some garlic flavour and spice, and cheese to add that delicious melty flavour.

- Why did you use these flavours? What did they do to your burger? 

We used these flavours to add more than just that meat and bread flavour that usually comes with a burger.

- What were your successes with your final presentation?

Getting the burger done with pleanty of time left.
                
- If you were do this practical again what changes would you make if you had no restrictions.

Getting boldr flavour and ingridient choices to add extra flavour colour and texture to the patty.

Volley Ball Muscles and bones.

Volleyball involves using the whole body. It is played using the upper body for hitting the ball, the lower body for moving around
the court and the arms and fingers for hitting the ball. Use Whack – a – bone games then list 8 bones and 4 muscles.
Bones:

  1.  Spine
  2. Phalanges
  3. Ulna
  4. radius
  5. Humerus
  6. Carpals
  7. Metacarpels

Use Poke-a-muscle and list four muscles that are used in volleyball.
Muscles:

  1. Hamstring
  2.  Calf
  3. Shoulder
  4. Bicept

Friction

Friction has both positive and negative implications depending on the context. On the positive side, friction is essential in sports where grip and traction enhance performance. Athletes rely on the friction between their shoes and the playing surface to make quick movements and maintain control. Additionally, friction generates heat, which can be beneficial in situations like warming objects or starting fires. Increasing friction can be achieved by roughening surfaces or using specialised footwear. Conversely, friction can be a hindrance in scenarios like operating a garage door. Excessive friction can cause it to get stuck, leading to inefficiency and potential damage. To minimise friction, one can reduce the applied force or make surfaces smoother through polishing or lubrication. In summary, managing friction effectively is crucial in various applications, allowing for improved performance in sports and smooth operation in mechanical systems.

My Hauora — Water balloon toss

Today, I participated in an exhilarating water balloon game that emphasized the importance of teamwork, coordination, and strategic thinking. I was teamed up with Isla and Kaes. The game was outside which was better than sitting inside doing work.

The water balloon game positive impact on my Hauora, particularly in terms of my physical well-being. As we passed the balloon trying not to drop it we practiced our handeye coordination, I felt invigorated by the movement and the thrill of competition. It was not just a fun challenge; it was also an excellent way to get my heart rate up and to practice agility.

 

Moreover, the activity significantly enhanced my social well-being. The playful nature of the game fostered a sense of camaraderie and connection among us. We were laughing, cheering each other on, and celebrating small victories, which created a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The bonds formed during this experience were invaluable, as we shared not only the thrill of competition but also moments of joy and teamwork.

 

Additionally, my taha Tinana benefited greatly from our active participation. We spent a considerable amount of time outdoors, honing our hand-eye coordination as we aimed and threw the water balloons. This hands-on practice not only improved my physical skills but also instilled a sense of confidence in my abilities. Overall, it was a fulfilling experience that left me both energized and connected to my teammates.

 

 

 

End of Topic test – Science

So far this term we have covered a variety of topics but some of the key ones have been DNA/genes, mutations, inheritance, alleles, adaptations and evolution. 

DNA, also known as deoxyribonucleic acid, is the genetic code that makes up all living organisms. DNA is a double helix shape connected by strands of genes. Every strand of DNA is unique and codes for a different trait or look of the organism; these are also known as genes. A gene is a small segment of a DNA strand that codes for a

specific trait, e.g., your hair or eye colour, as well as how tall or small you are. These traits can also be how we act/ our behaviours. We inherit these traits from our parents as they pass on their traits to us. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes that are passed onto us from our parents these chromosomes are passed on randomly however some traits/chromosomes are more likely to be passed on. We can determine which chromosomes are more likely to be passed by using punnet squares. Punnet squares are squares where the two parent alleles are on the top and side and the dominate allele will always be chosen over the resistive allele.

As I said before a trait is how an organism acts or looks depending on the environment it lives in. E.g. fur or hair colour or if they have scales or not. Sometimes over time organism can change their traits to better suit their environment this is known as natural selection. Natural selection occurs when over time an organism has a better trait that is better suited to the environment e.g, there are black and blue bugs and the black ones survive longer to reproduce. This means the black beetles are more likely to pass on their traits so slowly all the blue beetles will die out because they struggle more to pass on their genes. This is known as reproduction. Over hundreds of thousands of years, bigger more noticeable traits are changed to better suit the environment this is called evolution. A good example of evolution is the way monkeys evolved into humans or the way kiwis slowly lost their wings.