http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_rockets/cub_rockets_lesson04.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, Newtonmotionrocketthrustfuelchemical reactiongaspressureactionforceoxidizerpropellantspaceenergyGasChemical ReactionPressureFuelOxidizerThrustSurface Area

Rockets need a lot of thrust to get into space. In this lesson, students learn how rocket thrust is generated with propellant. The two types of propellants are discussed and relation to their use on rockets is investigated. Students learn why engineers need to know the different properties of propellants.

Engineers use powerful propellants in order to launch a rocket into space. When these propellants burn, hot gas is expelled out the nozzle causing the rocket to move forward. In order to achieve the necessary speeds, engineers must understand the chemical properties of the different propellants. Factors such as weight, efficiency, controllability and safety are all things engineers must keep in mind when choosing a propellant. Individual propellants are better for different tasks, and it is the job of the engineer to choose which and how much of a propellant to use. Use Newton’s third law of motion to explain how a rocket launches.Explain the difference between propellant and fuel.Describe how weight of fuel affects the ability to get a rocket into space.Explain why engineers need to know the properties of different propellants. 15TeachEngineering.orgJeff WhiteBrian ArgrowLuke SimmonsJay ShahMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet Yowellhttp://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/discovery-info.htmlhttp://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/bgmr.htmlhttp://www.extension.iastate.edu/e-set/science_is_here/alkaseltzer.htmlS11417B7International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyD. The use of transportation allows people and goods to be moved from place to place. 35S11417B8International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyE. A transportation system may lose efficiency or fail if one part is missing or malfunctioning or if a subsystem is not working.35S114259CColoradoScienced. Develop a scientific explanation regarding relationships of the components of the solar system44United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-03-304Teacher