Rocket Project - need to find mass of rocket to reach 15 m altitude

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the mass of a rocket designed to reach a precise altitude of 15 meters using an Estes A8-5 engine. The thrust profile indicates an impulse of 2.50 N*s over a burn time of 0.7 seconds. The challenge lies in determining the rocket's mass without knowing the acceleration or final velocity after the burn. Key considerations include whether to account for fuel mass reduction during ascent and applying energy conservation principles to solve the problem.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with impulse and momentum concepts
  • Basic calculus for integration
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the rocket equation (Tsiolkovsky rocket equation)
  • Learn how to derive and solve differential equations for rocket motion
  • Explore energy conservation methods in projectile motion
  • Investigate the effects of changing mass on rocket acceleration
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those working on projects involving rocketry, as well as educators and hobbyists interested in understanding the dynamics of rocket propulsion and altitude calculations.

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Rocket Project -- need to find mass of rocket to reach 15 m altitude

I have a project for grade 11 physics, i have to create a rocket that reaches precisely 15 m altitude, and all I am given is the thrust profile of the engine (force(N) vs time(s) graph)

It is an Estes A8-5 engine

i have used calculus to integrate and find the impulse, which is 2.50N*s, total burn time is 0.7s

im stuck, i can't find the mass without the acceleration, i can't find the acceleration without the final velocity after burn.

ive tried everything i can think of, even energy problems, can't seem to figure it out.
 
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What exactly are you supposed to come up with? Mass of rocket?

Final velocity is zero, right, if it's supposed to go just 15m? And is that miles or meters?
 
A critical question is whether you need to take into account the reduction in fuel mass during ascent. If so, you need to develop and solve the differential equation for a rocket. Otherwise, energy should be the way. you know the total energy the rocket delivers, and you know the height to be reached.
 

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