Experimental Design Diagrams Name: Ellen McNally HR: 3rd

A. State your question: How does the amount of water in the nose affect the distance
the rocket travels?
B.Make a prediction showing what you think will happen in the experiment.
If…(something happens) Then…(what is the outcome) Because…(why you think this)
If there is a little bit of water in the nose, about 50 ml, then the rocket will travel the
farthest distance because if there is too much water, the rocket will become too top
heavy and will simply tip over.
C. Create a data table.
1.When making a data table, follow the example given and be sure that…
2.It has a brief descriptive title in the form of “(dependent variable) DEPENDS ON (independent
variable)”
3.The first column is for the independent variable, the one you are changing.
4.The next column(s) are for trials of the dependent variable.
5.The last column is for the best value (average) of the dependent variable.
6.The columns of data begin with a label naming the variable and the units in which it is
measured. Be sure to include the units of the variables, as shown below.
7.The data are entered as numbers only.
8.The last row should contain the source of the data.

The Distance the Rocket Travels Depends on the Amount of Water

Amount of Water The Distance Rocket Travels Average (m)
in Nose (ml) (m)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
50 58 50 54
100 82 70 78 76.6
150 75 73 74
200 56 60 58
600 45 45 45

Source: Ellen, Paige, and Crista, May 2009

A.List 5 controlled variables. The number of wings, the size of the wings, the angle the
rocket is tilted, the size of the bottles, and the placement of the wings.
B.List the materials needed for the experiment. 3 2 -liter bottles, 3 20 oz. bottles with cap,
duct tape, water, the rocket shooter, cardboard for the wings, rulers, a Sharpie
marker and scissors for cutting cardboard.
C.Write out a step by step procedure for carrying out the experiment.
1.Remove all the papers on the bottles, both the 2 liters and 20 oz. bottles.

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 2.Cut out 3 triangular wings for EACH rocket that are 6 cm by 12 cm. The top of the wings
should be placed 11 cm from the lip of the 2 liter bottle. The three wings should be about
12 cm apart on the 2 liter bottle.
3.Tape the 2 liter bottle to the 20 ounce bottle.
4.Pour 750 ml of water in the 2 liter bottle and mark the place on the bottle where the
water goes up to.
5.Fill the nose bottle, 20 ounce bottle, with 50 ml of water.

6.Tilt the rocket shooter so the rocket is shot at a 45˚ angle.

7.Place the first rocket, with the 50 ml of water in the nose bottle, on the rocket shooter.
8.Set the air pressure to 75 psi.
9.Stand out of the way of the rocket shooter and pull the string that is connected to the
rocket shooter.
10.Watch the rocket as it flies and measure the distance it traveled in meters.
11.Do another trial for this same rocket. (Each rocket should fly a total of 2 trials unless
more are needed for accurate/clear data).
12.Repeat steps 1-10 for the other rockets, one with 150 ml of water in the nose bottle
,100 ml, 200 ml, and 600 ml in the nose bottle.
13.Record data, make a graph, and form a conclusion.

A.Graph your data on Excel. (Use the graphing guidelines.)

Distance the Rocket Travels Depends on Amount of Water in Nose

77.5
Distance the Rocket Travels (m)

75
72.5
70
67.5
65
62.5
60
57.5
55
52.5
50
47.5
45
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
Amount of Water in the Nose (ml)

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B.Write a conclusion.
1.Does your data support your hypothesis? Why or why not? (Describe by referring to
your data! Be sure you talk about your data and graph.)
2.What changes would you make if you did the experiment again and why? (Be specific
to the individual experiment…NOT “Be more accurate” “Do more trials”)
Our hypothesis was close, but not quite correct. Our data and graph show that 100
ml of water in the nose made the rocket travel the farthest. We predicted that 50 ml of
water would be the best, but it didn't travel travel as far as we expected. When there
was 600 ml of water in the nose, the rocket was too top-heavy so it didn't travel very
far, only 45 meters.
As far as what we would change if we did the experiment again, we would be
make sure the 3 wings on the rocket are EVENLY spaced apart for each trial. Also,
when we use the duct tape, we would have to made it as flat as possible without
bumps or pockets where air can get in.

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