Beginner's
Guide to Rockets
Fundamental Terminology
Activity
If so instructed
by your teacher, print out a worksheet page.
In order to understand
the concepts of rockets, you must first understand the concepts
of forces and Newton's Three Laws of Motion. Along with Newton's Laws
you will study four forces that are basic to the flight of rockets. The terms are hyperlinked
to the Beginner's
Guide to Rockets. Before going to these descriptions review
the worksheet. It will assist you while reading each section. The terms
are:
THRUST
DRAG
LIFT
WEIGHT
NEWTON'S
LAWS:
1st
- LAW of INERTIA
2nd
- LAW of ACCELERATION
3rd
- LAW of INTERACTION
After you feel comfortable
with the provided information, complete this matching exercise.
1. ___
|
Used to
control a model rocket.
|
A. Weight
|
2. ___
|
The faster
the exhaust is pushed through the rocket engine, the more forceful
this is.
|
B. Newton's
First Law
|
3. ___
|
This, along
with weight, acts as resistance to rocket motion.
|
C. Newton's Third Law
|
4. ___
|
If thrust
is greater than weight, this law describes the increase in velocity.
|
D. Drag
|
5. ___
|
When weight
and drag are in balance, this law explains why the rocket
falls at a constant velocity.
|
E. Newton's
Second Law
|
6. ___
|
Rocket engines produce
thrust through the application of this law.
|
F. Thrust
|
7. ___
|
For a rocket
to lift off, the thrust must be greater than this force.
|
G. Lift
|
Related Sites:
Teaching Standards
Worksheet
Rocket Index
Rocket Home
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Home
|