Science Group
Question:
mialynn
Student
High School - 12th Grade
What materials were used in the movie October Sky when they built the rockets?
And also maybe even the steps or procedure followed? It's for a science writing project.
Answers:
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hudsolaura Teacher
High School - 12th GradeeNotes Editor
Posted by hudsolaura on Saturday November 1, 2008 at 9:50 PMThe movie October Sky doesn't tell the audience everything the "Rocket Boys" used to construct their rockets but they did reveal a couple of ingredients.
They switched their fuel from black powder to potassium chlorate. They also experimented with potassium nitrate & sugar; a zinc – sulfur powder mix, and various binders.
Each switch the boys made was in response to a test failure that demanded a modification in their engineering design. The use of scientific method is fabulous. They identified a problem, came up with a probable solution, tested it, then either revised their approach or tossed it for a new one.
After finding that their nozzles could not take the heat inside the rockets, they had to special order a steel called S.A.E. 1018 bar stock. They learned to make new nozzles that could withstand the heat and eventually were completely successful in launching their rocket.
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xandria Teacher
DoctoratePosted by xandria on Friday November 7, 2008 at 7:33 PMThe answer is simple. Get a copy of Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. October Sky is based on this book and Homer tells everything about his rockets in it.
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