CS382:Equation-outline
Contents
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.
The Scaffold Approach
The scaffolding approach to this unit is too simplistic at the moment, and I believe that it needs to be expanded on. The 3 basic steps involve the following.
1. Talking about some of the general principles of aerodynamics and how the forces involve effect the flight of various aircraft.
2. Modeling the flight of a rocket or airplane based on lecture content.
3. Actually building a model airplane or rocket and then launching it based on conclusions reached in the simulations based on lecture content.
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:
- Go into a brief review of the previous units, touch on concepts from the earlier topics, and explain how they relate to this unit, I.E. How modeling a rocket or airplane is different from modeling a bridge.
- Based on whether we decide to do a rocket or airplane based approach, explain some of the forces acting on the vehicle, and how the vehicle is designed to take advantage of these forces in order to achieve its goal.
- As the simulation applets are somewhat counter-intuitive and the abbreviations and acronyms are gibberish unless one is familiar with the subject already, I believe that it's especially important to explain what some of these variables mean, how they come into play, and just generally prepare the class to use the software associated with the lab.
Lecture 2:
Lecture 3:
Lecture 4:
Classroom response questions
- If the unit includes a significant portion based on airplanes, after an explanation of some of the forces acting upon the plane, show students a picture of an airplane wing and ask them exactly how it works to allow the airplane to stay in flight.
- 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 to simulate the launching of a water rocket. This provides an excellent opportunity for a tie-in, as we could have them use the current weather station data for the conditions of the launch.
- The Second Lab would potentially consist of the students building a real version of the airplanes or rockets they simulated and actually launching them. The possible problems and benefits of this are outlined in the "Physical Models" part of this section.
Simulations
Airplanes
- 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).
- 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..
- 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
- 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.
- Simulates the amount of thrust generated based on a number of variables, including type of fuel used, the size of the nozzle, and the altitude of the rocket, as well as the pressure on the fuel that is being generated.
- Simulates atmospheric effects.
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
We're interested in possibly having students construct a physical water rocket. However, while it would be a great way to approach the subject matter in the unit a hands-on fashion, 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.
Additionally, the materials for this could potentially be rather expensive.
