Quick Graphs - Acceleration
Height
Velocity
Acceleration
Statistics


This is a plot of vertical acceleration against time with acceleration in an upwards direction as positive. Like the Height against Time quick graph, it was produced using a 4 x 6 font, running the water rocket simulator in a DOS box.

Again, as the mouse moves over the plot area, the values for its position on each axis are printed on the graph next to each axis using the appropriate units.

Like the height and velocity graphs, the different stages of the rocket's flight are in different colours. With a launch rod, the yellow portion of the flight gives the rocket its highest acceleration (it has a large area whereas the opening in a t-nozzle is only small) although only for a short time. After that, the blue portion - representing the water thrust part - provides a sustained velocity for a longer time but at a lower acceleration. The cyan part of the flight, representing the air part of the thrust, shows an initial increase in acceleration although this dies away as the pressure drops inside the water rocket and the effects of gravity and drag slow the rocket down to apogee during the coasting period (red). Once the rocket has reached its apogee, the velocity becomes negative and the parachute starts its deployment (magenta) with an increase as the parachute opens to full size, providing an increase in vertical acceleration. Once fully open, the velocity remains constant and therefore the acceleration remains zero for the rest of the flight (green) until it hits the ground.

The other quick graphs (including the statistics) can be accessed by pressing the initial letter for each page.


Copyright ©2000 Paul Grosse. All Rights Reserved