Level 3: Forces on a rocket

Rockets and landing · level 3 of 8 · rough age 9-10 (a guide for parents; anyone can start anywhere)

In this level you put numbers on the pushes. You measure forces in newtons, compare a rocket's thrust with its weight, meet drag and the moment of greatest strain on a rocket, work out how quickly a rocket speeds up, see why rockets come in stages, and find out how a heat shield survives coming back through the air.

Lesson	You will be able to
Forces in newtons	Measure forces in newtons, and work out weight on Earth and on Mars
Thrust and weight	Find the leftover force that lifts a rocket from its thrust and weight
Drag	Explain drag on a rocket, and why it is worst about a minute after launch
Speeding up	Work out how fast a rocket gains speed, and why it gets quicker as it climbs
Stages	Explain why dropping empty stages lets a rocket go much faster
Heat shields	Explain why coming back from space is so hot, and how heat shields protect a ship

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