Gunpowder rockets

A problem to solve
A fireworks company wants to make a new
firework that will reach a vertical height of 400m
carrying an explosive load of 200g. The explosive
load is to be attached on the top of the
gunpowder rocket. The frame and casing of the
rocket have a combined mass of 150g.
The rocket is pushed upwards with a gunpowder
rocket of efficiency 25% (i.e. 25% of the chemical
energy of the gunpowder is converted into kinetic
energy of the rocket).
The gunpowder used to power the rocket has an energy density of 3.0 MJkg-1. This means that when 1kg of
gunpowder explodes / burns it releases 3.0 million Joules of energy.
Assume that air resistance is negligible
Use the conservation of energy and the equations below to answer the following questions:
1. Assuming that the rocket uses all of its gunpowder in one initial explosion calculate the initial vertical
velocity of the rocket for it to reach an altitude of 400m (use our equations of motion to answer this).

v=0
a= ?
s=400
t=?
u=?
a=-9.81

v^2=u^2+2as

u=v^2-2as
u=0-2 x -9.81 x 400
u=88.6 m/s

2. What mass of fuel will the rocket need to reach an altitude of 400m (you will need to make some
estimates here of the mass of gunpowder needed and use trial and error to work this out)

Ek=1/2mv^2

Ek= x 0.350 x 88.6^2

Ek= 1373.74 J

Mass x energy density x efficiency= energy released in explosion

0.00185 x 3 x = 1387
0.00183 x 0.25 x 3= 0.001373 MJ
times by 1000000

1.83 g of fuel

or the other method, rearrange the equation: (1/4)*3* xg = 1374, xkg = 1374/ (1/4)*3
1374/(1/4)*3 = 1.83067

3. How much kinetic energy will the rocket need at ground level?

Ek= 1/2mv^2
Ek= (0.350 x 88.6^2) / 2
=1 373.743

4. How much gravitational potential energy will the rocket gain?

Ep=mg*change in h (delta h)

Ep= 0.350 x 9.81 x 400

Ep= 1373.4

Same as Ek

To solve this problem you will have to research the following:

Understandings:
Kinetic energy: Energy that an object/thing possesses due to its motion.

Gravitational potential energy: Energy that an object/thing possesses, while being in a

gravitational field. The higher up an object is located, the more GPE it has.

Principle of conservation of energy: Energy cannot be destroyed nor created, only transformed
from one state to another.
Efficiency: It refers to how well energy is transformed the state we want.

Energy density: Is defined as the amount of energy stored in a given space per unit mass or
volume.

Applications and skills:

Discussing the conservation of total energy within energy transformations

Quantitatively describing efficiency in energy transfers

Data booklet reference:

EK = mv2
EP = mgh

total power
useful power out
total work=

useful work out

Efficiency=

Research:

Use the following sources to help you find an answer.

Absorb Advanced Physics interactive textbook - section on Work, energy and power
Kinetic energy & Gravitational potential energy

Youtube tutorial - Bozeman science - Potential and Kinetic energy (watch at home)
o

http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age16-19/Mechanics/Dynamics/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWl_Zj-CZs

College Physics pdf textbook (on your laptop)

A variety of textbooks and revision guides on the shelf of the Physics room (Coordinated
Physics, A level revision guides, IB textbooks)

What to do:
Group work - you should work in groups of two or three students. Each group should work
together, researching key ideas and problem solving. Each student must submit their own
individual work at the end of the project. The answer to the problems should be worked out
together, but the key notes and definitions should all be individual. You should also submit notes
on the understandings listed above as well as the workings required to find an answer to the
solution.
How long do you have?
You will have 4 x 40 minute class periods and one hour
homework to complete your work. Your work should be
submitted using Turnitin by Friday 12th December.

Marking rubric
Complete
(2)

Marking criteria

Not at all
(0)

Partial (1)

Kinetic and gravitational energy defined and a basic example

calculation is shown for each equation.
The principle of conservation of energy and the concept and
equation of efficiency is defined and a numerical example stated.
The initial velocity required for the rocket to reach 400m is
calculated.
The mass of fuel required has been estimated and the estimate has
been shown to be realistic.

Score
BSQ level

8
7

7
6

6
5

5
4

4
3

3
2

2
1