Beginner's Guide
to Rockets
Gas Temperature
Activity
If so instructed
by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.
Materials:
-
|
- 500
ml Erlenmeyer flask (or glass bottle with a mouth small enough
for balloon to fit over)
|
|
|
|
Before you begin:
Remember to record observations of the balloon throughout the procedure.
-
- Procedure:
- Place water in
the flask to cover the bottom (approximately two centimeters). Boil
the water for three to four minutes. Wait one minute and pour the water
out of the flask. Quickly place an uninflated balloon (just out of the
package) around the mouth of the flask, sealing the flask. Let cool.
- Compare the temperature
of the gas molecules inside the flask with those outside the flask:
A. before the flask was heated
B. after the flask was heated
C. after the balloon was placed on the flask
- How does the change
in temperature affect:
A. the gas molecules' motion?
B. the gas molecules' force?
Note: To help with this question use the slide on Gas
Temperature in the Beginner's
Guide to Rockets.
- Now click
RocketThrust Simulator to note the exit Mach number, exit velocity, and combustion
chamber temperature for a typical rocket nozzle. Using other information available on the
Thrust Equations Summary page, determine:
A. What happens to gas temperature as the exhaust travels through the nozzle
from the throat to the exit?
B. How does molecular motion change from the throat to the exit?
C. What is one function of a rocket nozzle?
- What is the relationship
between gas temperature and molecular motion? How did you form this
conclusion?
- What is the relationship
between gas temperature and the force of the gas molecules? How did
you form this conclusion?
- After studying
gas temperature and rocket nozzles, list three questions that you
or you and your lab partners now have about this topic.
Related Sites:
Teaching Standards
Worksheet
Rocket Index
Rocket Home
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Home
|