Expert: Sue Kayton Date: 1/9/2008 Subject: density
Question how does the material of a rocket made of tin foil, construction paper, notebook paper effect how long it will fly????
Answer Things fly because the propulsion force (upward) is greater than the force of drag (downwards) and gravity (downwards). The more the rocket weighs, the more gravity pulls down, so the rocket won't get as high. Rockets are streamlined so they will have less drag, so they will go higher. If the teacher gives you an engine, then everyone's rocket will have the same propulsion force. So what makes a difference are drag and the downward pull of gravity. So make the rocket streamlined and weigh as little as possible, without being so flimsy that it falls apart. The teacher is having you make it out of lightweight tinfoil and paper, rather than heavy stuff so it will go higher.
