Physics Behind Why Rockets Fly :: physics rocket rockets fly

In order for any rocket to fly, it must adjust some basic rules of physics. No rocket can escape the primordial rule that the center of gravity must be in expect of the center of pressure.Center of GravityThe Center of Gravity or Cg is the smudge that behaves as if entirely the mass was concentrated in that one spot. solely put it is the point at which you could balance the rocket on your finger. The Cg is too the point around which the rocket rotates. This becomes very important for the rockets stability as you pass on soon see.Center of PressureThe Center of Pressure or Cp is similar to the Cg. The Cp is the point at which the forces from the air button on the vechicle wait to be focused.What is a Cg or a Cp?Basic Rocket wherefore Does This Matter ?When a rocket is in flight, the force of the air pushing on it keeps the Cp behind the Cg. This is important because the rocket is pushed by the force of the fag out coming out the back. If the Cp was in front of the Cg, the rocket would want to straining around (so that its back was pointing forwards).. However, because the exhaust is always pushing the rocket forward, it spins around again and again... and you get the picture from there.FinsSo now that you know all about Cgs and Cps, it should make perfect sense what fins are for. quench a little confused? The fins are extra surface sports stadium near the back of the rocket. This brings the Cp further back on the rocket without importantly moving the Cg..Calculating CpCalculating a Cp is rather involved. The easiest way to do it is by using Barrowmans Equations, although these are still fairly complicated. I was passing play to explain them, but I found a site that does a better job than I could ever do. The UAF Student Rocket jump out builds and flies sounding rockets with help from Wollops Flight Facilty.Our latest mission, SRP4, is a learner designed and built payload. It willing be carrying a science agent designed by students and professo rs at Toyama Prefectual University in Japan. Our goal is to measure the D-region of the ionosphere.SRP4 will fly atop an Orion sounding rocket motor that will be supplied by NASAs Wollops Flight Facility.We expect to launch from Poker flatcar Research Range in March of 2002.