Combustion of Rocket Propellants

NSTA Playlist

Combustion of Rocket Propellants

Storylines start with an anchoring phenomenon that raises questions or introduces a problem. Each step in a playlist or unit is then driven by students’ questions that arise from the phenomenon.

In this case, the anchoring phenomenon is the launch and delivery of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to Lagrange 2 on December 25th, 2021. The first day of the playlist provides opportunities for students to consider what they do and don't know about the JWST, rockets, chemical reactions, energy, and forces. In doing so, they will begin to make sense of high school Disciplinary Core Ideas related to chemical reactions and apply their understanding of middle school Disciplinary Core Ideas related to chemical reactions and forces and motion.

Lesson Plan 1

How did the Ariane 5 rocket launch and deliver the JWST to L2?

High school students, as scientists, will apply middle school ideas about chemical reactions, forces, and motion to answer the driving question: How did the Ariane 5 rocket launch and deliver the JWST to L2? The lesson begins with students sharing their background knowledge of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the information it provides. Next, students watch a video of the rocket carrying the JWST being launched into space and generate questions about the phenomenon. Students consider related phenomena and how they can investigate questions about rocket fuel. Next, they evaluate information about the Ariane 5 + JWST system and generate additional questions about how the JWST was launched into space. Finally, students use their ideas about chemical reactions, energy, and forces to develop an initial model that explains how the JWST was delivered to Lagrange point 2 (L2).

Time: Two 50-minute class periods

Lesson Plan 2

How do propellants generate thrust?

High school students, as scientists, investigate what happens at both the macroscopic and atomic scales of chemical reactions to answer questions that they have about generating thrust. Students launch a model rocket and view a slow-motion video to observe the fuel burning. Next, they plan a simulation using magnets to model the changes in energy that occur when connections between atoms (bonds) are broken or formed.

Time: Five 50-minute class periods

Lesson Plan 3

How can we track the flow of energy when propellant is burned?

High school students, as scientists, build and apply ideas about chemical reactions to answer the driving question: How can we track the flow of energy when propellant is burned? Students use NetLogo and magnetic marble models of bond making and bond breaking to investigate particle speed. Students observe that particles slow down as bonds are broken and the particles move away from each other. Students also observe that particles speed up as they move toward each other to form bonds. Students figure out that whether a chemical reaction results in a net increase or decrease in energy depends on the difference between the energy used to break bonds and the energy released when new bonds are made.

Time: Three 50-minute class periods

Lesson Plan 4

How did the solid and liquid propellants generate the right amount of thrust for each phase of the Ariane 5 + JWST system’s flight path?

High school students, as scientists, will apply ideas about chemical reactions and forces and motion to answer the driving question: How did the solid and liquid propellants generate the right amount of thrust for each phase of the Ariane 5 + JWST system’s flight path? Students begin by summarizing the patterns they have observed related to chemical reactions, energy, and forces, and consider how they can apply this understanding to the launch of the JWST. Students identify the need for additional information about the JWST + Ariane 5 system and the solid and liquid propellants used to generate thrust. Next, students evaluate information about solid and liquid propellants and generate a Gotta-Have-It checklist for a model explaining how the Ariane 5 rocket launched and delivered the JWST to Lagrange 2. Finally, students use what they have learned throughout this Playlist to write an explanation of how the Ariane 5 rocket launched and delivered the JWST to Lagrange 2. Students return to their initial Driving Question Board to determine which of the questions they had can now be answered.

Time: Two 50-minute class periods