Below is a comparison of a NASA Saturn V rocket that went to the Moon and a water rocket you might build.
Parts of a rocket and their purpose:
Nose Cone The nose cone is a protective cone-shaped case for the nose section of the missile or rocket. It is a crucial part of a rocket because it punches a hole through the atmosphere. The velocity and purpose of a rocket can be the biggest consideration when designing or choosing a nose cone. At supersonic speeds, a conical shaped nose cone is preferable. At subsonic speeds, a domed shape is preferable because it causes less drag. |
Payload The payload section is an optional part of the rocket. The payload is something extra that is carried into the air or space by the rocker. It is not a necessary part of a rocket and not crucial to its operation. However, the payload is often the reason the rocket is built. Examples of payloads include; animals, humans, scientific equipment, satellites, warheads, etc. |
Propulsion Chamber
The propulsion chamber of a rocket houses the propulsion system. It contains all the parts that make up the rocket’s engine; tanks, fuel, pumps, combustion chamber, and nozzle. Most liquid propelled rockets have two tanks; one for the fuel and one for the oxidizer necessary for the fuel to burn (since there is no oxygen in space). The pumps feed the fuel and oxidizer into the combustion chamber where they are mixed and exploded. This explosion, or combustion, produces hot exhaust which is passed through the nozzle and produces thrust. The more thrust the propulsion system produces, the heavier the rocket can be and the faster it can fly.
The propulsion chamber of a rocket houses the propulsion system. It contains all the parts that make up the rocket’s engine; tanks, fuel, pumps, combustion chamber, and nozzle. Most liquid propelled rockets have two tanks; one for the fuel and one for the oxidizer necessary for the fuel to burn (since there is no oxygen in space). The pumps feed the fuel and oxidizer into the combustion chamber where they are mixed and exploded. This explosion, or combustion, produces hot exhaust which is passed through the nozzle and produces thrust. The more thrust the propulsion system produces, the heavier the rocket can be and the faster it can fly.
Fins
The fins of a rocket provide stability during flight. They help the rocket maintain its orientation and intended direction of flight. If a typical amateur rocket was launched without fins, it would soon begin to tumble. This is caused by the way aerodynamic and other forces (such as wind) act upon the rocket in relation to the forces that are exerted upon the rocket by the motor and by gravity. The fins also add drag to the end of the rocket like the feathers on an arrow that help it fly straight.
Note: Most modern rockets can pivot their exhaust nozzles to provide stability and control. Modern full scale rockets do not rely on aerodynamics for stability and therefore usually do not have fins.
The fins of a rocket provide stability during flight. They help the rocket maintain its orientation and intended direction of flight. If a typical amateur rocket was launched without fins, it would soon begin to tumble. This is caused by the way aerodynamic and other forces (such as wind) act upon the rocket in relation to the forces that are exerted upon the rocket by the motor and by gravity. The fins also add drag to the end of the rocket like the feathers on an arrow that help it fly straight.
Note: Most modern rockets can pivot their exhaust nozzles to provide stability and control. Modern full scale rockets do not rely on aerodynamics for stability and therefore usually do not have fins.
Now that you know about the basic parts of a rocket and what they do, write about each part and its importance in your own words. What will be different on your water rocket than on a "real" rocket and why?