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4. Rocket propulsion as used for space travel.
5. Atmospheric studies: how does temperature and pressure affect performance?
6. Planetary differences: how does
same rocket perform on different planets in our solar system.
7. Dynamics and harmonic motion with damping.
8. Engineering - how parts fit together.
9. Newton's Laws of motion.
10. Artistic expression – because every student can design a different looking rocket, and change colors of components to further increase rocket's uniqueness.
11. Explaining distance, velocity, and acceleration.
12. Material properties, like density and volume.
13. The importance of weight and balance (CG position) when designing rockets.
14. Explaining that Work = Force X Distance.
15. Explaining concepts of Kinetic and Potential Energy.
16. Showing free-fall, and terminal velocity.
17. The importance of units and unit conversion.
18. The importance of following directions.
19. Exporting data and using spreadsheet programs to perform data reduction and manipulation
20. To show why multi-stage and cluster motor rockets are used in real rockets.
21. Concept of stored chemical energy (in rocket propellant) and how it is converted to mechanical energy.
22. Concept of efficiency - getting most performance from least exertion of energy. Can be explained by different types of propellant formulations.
23. Showing concept of momentum and how it affects optimum mass of rocket.
24. Finding optimal launch angle for breezy conditions.
25. Optimal launch angle for distance (ballistic curves), and how it varies with thrust curve of motor.
26. Show how distribution of mass affects dynamic stability of rocket.
27. Demonstrating concept of "Numeric Precision" -- more iterations performed, better accuracy.
28. Show how different shaped components affects static stability of rocket.
29. Compare thrust curves of different motors. This can show how different geometries (hole size, location, dimensions) affect thrust produced by rocket.
30. Concept of "Impulse:" which is a thrust force multiplied by time duration that thrust is created. The higher impulse, more power motor has.
As you can see, RockSim software is a versatile tool. You'll save hundreds of dollars because it can be used in a variety of ways.
Tim Van Milligan (B.S. Aeronautical Engineering) writes articles about model rocketry for the e-zine newsletter called: "Peak-of-Flight." He is also the author of the book: "Model Rocket Design and Construction," which can be found on his web site: http://www.ApogeeRockets.com.
