Rocket and Egg Drop Project

Rocket and Egg Drop Project

Alvin Sherman Library 4009

Our project is to use our knowledge of kinetic energy, aerodynamics, and shock absorption to build our own rocket. These aspects of mechanical physics will determine the height of our launch and the physical strain on the rocket’s structure. In order to measure the effects of these acting forces, we will design, build and launch a rocket without the aid of a modeling kit.

This rocket will be used in an experiment to test the limits of its performance with respect to its passengers. Our rocket will launch with three eggs inside of it. These eggs will act as a gauge, measuring the forces that act upon our homemade rocket. In order to succeed in building a structurally sound rocket, these eggs must remain unbroken from the time of launch to the time of impact.

Using the eggs as a guide, we hope to accomplish the goal of this project: to balance the many variables in building a rocket to their most optimal state. This task includes maximizing the height of the launch while minimizing the cost of building it. One way to do so is to minimize the weight of the rocket; the thruster will have less mass to accelerate. However, the rocket must still be sturdy enough so that the eggs do not break during the flight.