CS382:Equation-outline

Abstract

This unit will last for two weeks, and will explore the concepts relating to aerodynamics through the modeling of rocket flights and how the flow of thrust through the nozzle at the end of the rockets affects the flight distance of the rocket. This will require use of simulations that are designed to handle such problems, as well as some explanation about aerodynamics in general.

Inquiry Based Learning

Develops students' understanding of the natural world.

Strengthens students' knowledge of the scientific way of knowing — the use of systematic observation and experimentation to develop theories and test hypotheses.

Emphasizes and provides first-hand experience with both theoretical analysis and the collection of empirical data.

Background reading

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerodynamics

• Wikipedia tells it all about the aerodynamics, one should know. Some ideas about modeling could be obtained.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_tunnel

• At the lower part of the site - it talks about visualizing the results and the whole simulation of the wind tunnel. Interesting.

Lecture notes

Lecture 1:

Lecture 2:

Lecture 3:

Lecture 4:

Classroom response questions

• Question 1

• Question 2

• Question 3

Lab activity

Note: I believe that it may be prudent to follow the same structure as the preceding unit with this one. That is to say the first lab is a concept / developmental stage in which the students use software provided to simulate something covered in the unit, then to go out and actually do it based on the results of their simulations. That being said:

• The First Lab would consist of the students using either the airplane or rocket simulators

• The Second Lab

Simulations

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Airplanes

Alice

• A Link for freeware program (115 MB size) called Alice, which creates airplane models and simulates flights. Also contains guide to create a airplane in 1 hour.

• Also the website from the link, contains some guides into modeling a real life paper plane; in terms of how to make it fly like a real one(folding techniques and similar).

What is Alice?

• A link that contains further info about Alice - also contains a Video which gives closer look at the software.

From first sentence: " Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a freely available teaching tool designed to be a student's first exposure to object-oriented programming. " And so on..

Flight Simulators

• Contains simulator links ; explored Google Earth one - still thinking about the whole purpose - but I guess its upcoming.

Pretty fine and detailed one. Ready to present.

Rockets

Rocket Modeler II

• This will simulate several different types of Rockets, Air-propelled, Water-propelled, and Solid Fuel propelled, and contains a "Ballistic" option. Has numerous slide bars that can adjust things such as the length, width, tail, fuel content, etc. of the Rocket. Also allows you to determine the angle of launch and the launch conditions, as well as simulating different launch locations such as the Moon and Mars.

• If we do a lab that involves actually building a rocket, this could give students an idea of what to expect, given the physical statistics of their rocket, as well as the conditions under which the rocket is launched.

Rocket Thrust Simulator

Atmospheric Effects Simulator

The 3 basic simulators of the rocket flight - a rocket model. Besides computer simulation, there could be guides followed up to manufacture a real life water rocket (e.g.) which could fly around; possible lab.

Physical Models

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We're interested in possibly having students construct a physical water rocket. However, while it would be a great way to give the subject matter in the unit a hands-on approach, there are potential safety concerns about launching water rockets on campus, and potential logistical issues with finding a remote location to launch the rockets from.