Rocket Systems

Question 1

Define the word rocket

Answer 1

Long tall structure that can be propelled into space

Question 2

Define the word launch

Answer 2

To send a spacecraft into space

Question 3

Define gravity

Answer 3

The pull that holds things on the earth

Question 4

Define payload

Answer 4

The people, equipment, or other spacecraft carried by a rocket

Question 5

define the word vehicle

Answer 5

A machine – that is used to carry – people or things – from one place to another

Question 6

What does the word propel mean?

Answer 6

To move or push – something forwards

Question 7

What makes a balloon move?

Answer 7

1. The air in the balloon is under pressure
2. The air is pushing on the balloon and the balloon is pushing on the air
3. When the air is under pressure it will try to escape
4. When you let go the balloon pushes the air out in one direction
5. The air pushes the balloon forward in the opposite direction

Question 8

Who was Sir Isaac Newton?

Answer 8

a scientist – lived 300 yrs ago

Question 9

What did he discover?

Answer 9

all objects on Earth move according to the same rules or laws

Question 10

What did Newton’s 3rd law say?

Answer 10

For every PUSH in one direction there is an equal push in the opposite direction

Question 11

Which of Newton’s Laws explains how a rocket moves?

Answer 11

His 3rd Law

Question 12

What propels a rocket upwards?

Answer 12

The force of the hot gases (produced by burning rocket fuel)npushing downwards

Question 13

What does a rocket carry into space?

Answer 13

A payload

Question 14

What is a system?

Answer 14

Something that has different parts that work together to make something happen

Question 15

What does a system need to make something happen to it?

Answer 15

An input energy

Question 16

What is the input energy of a rocket?

Answer 16

Energy from buring the rocket fuel (liquid or solid)

Question 17

What is the output energy of a rocket?

Answer 17

Fast upward movement energy

Question 18

Why does a rocket need a lot of upward movement energy?

Answer 18

To get it moving fast enough to escape the Earth’s gravity and push through the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 19

What happens when a fuel powering a rocket is finished?

Answer 19

The rocket drops back to Earth

Question 20

What characteristics must a rocket have to do it’s job well?

Answer 20

1. Strong - a rocket has a strong shell-type structure so it can carry heavy payloads and to get through the Earth’s atmosphere
2. Light - to carry more equipment since it’s own weight is lower
3. Streamline shape - to help to travel through the atmopshere more easily

Question 21

What happens if a rocket is heavy?

Answer 21

It needs more fuel to propell it into space

Question 22

Why do we see fire and smoke when a rocket moves?

Answer 22

The rocket burns fuel to move upwards.

Fire = fuel burning

Smoke =gases being pushed out of the bottom of the rocket