Beginner's
Guide to Rockets
Gas Pressure
Activity
If so instructed by
your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.
Materials:
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- Bunsen
burner or other heat source for boiling water
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Before
you begin: Remember to record all observations. [Note the specific
condition of the pop can before the boiling procedure (at room temperature),
during the boiling step, and after the can is immersed in ice water.]
Procedure:
- In the pop can,
place only enough water to cover the bottom of the can--approximately
5 mm.
- Holding the can
with the beaker tongs over the Bunsen burner, bring the water in the
can to a boil. Let boil for 2 minutes. Remember to record observations.
- Quickly invert
the pop can in the ice water so that only the opened end is slightly
submerged. Record your observations and discuss observations with
your lab group.
- Sketch a diagram
of the air pressure forces acting on the can in each of the following
situations:
A. Pop can at room temperature
B. Pop can during boiling step
C. Pop can a moment after it is immersed in the ice water.
Note:
A larger arrow should symbolize a larger force than a smaller arrow.
- Explain how gas
pressure changed in the pop can during the procedure. To help with
this question click on the slide Gas
Pressure for review in the Beginner's
Guide to Rockets. ----Is the pop can empty?
- Now click
nozzle design to note changes in gas pressure through a rocket nozzle.
A. What happens to gas pressure as the exhaust travels through the nozzle?
B. How does molecular motion change through the nozzle?
C. What is one function of a rocket engine?
- After studying
gas pressure and rocket engines, list three questions that you
or you and your lab partners have about this topic.
Related Sites:
Teaching Standards
Worksheet
Rocket Index
Rocket Home
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Home
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