VIET NAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE

PHYSICS 1
PROJECT REPORT
Instructor: Dr. Do Ngoc Son
Class CC08 – Group 11

TOPIC: STUDYING THE MOTION OF A ROCKET

Group members:

No. Student’s name Student ID

1 Hàng Thái An 2452004
2 Trần Thanh Bình 2452156
3 Đào Nguyên Hưng 2452421
4 Triệu Tấn Khoa 2452564
5 Nguyễn Doãn Trí Luân 2452710

1|Page
 Introduction
First and foremost, we want to sincerely thank Dr. Do Ngoc Son for
giving us this assignment and for his essential advice during the lectures on
Physics 1 exercises. Additionally, we would like to express our sincere
gratitude to everyone who helped us along the way and guided us; their
contributions were crucial to our success.
We are pleased to share the results of our investigation and work. We
admit that there might be some limits with our results, even though we have
worked hard to get the best ones.
Rockets work by burning fuel in a combustion chamber, creating hot
gases that are expelled from one end at high speed. This generates thrust, pushing
the rocket forward. Rockets are essential for space exploration, launching
satellites, and sending devices to distant planets. Studying the motion of a rocket
can help visualize the way they travel at different speeds and combustion rates.
Under the direction of Dr. Do Ngoc Son, this report was written for the Physics 1
course and focuses on the motion of a rocket. With MATLAB serving as the main
tool for demonstrating these ideas, it emphasizes the motion of rockets in
statistical analysis and problem-solving.

2|Page
 Table of contents

Contents
PHYSICS 1..............................................................................................................................1
Introduction............................................................................................................................2
Table of contents.....................................................................................................................3
1. Theoretical basis.................................................................................................................4
1.1. Newton's Laws of Motion.......................................................................................................................................4
1.2. Uniform linear motion............................................................................................................................................4
1.3. Conservation of Momentum...................................................................................................................................5
1.4. Gravitational Forces...............................................................................................................................................6
1.5. Kinematics and Dynamics.......................................................................................................................................6
2. Problem and solution.........................................................................................................9
2.1. Problem....................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2. Algorithms...............................................................................................................................................................9
2.3. MATLAB Code......................................................................................................................................................10
2.4. Results....................................................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................13
References....................................................................................................................................................................13

3|Page
 1. Theoretical basis

1.1. Newton's Laws of Motion

 Second Law: The rocket can be made to move more rapidly by either
increasing the propulsive force and/or decreasing the rocket’s mass.
Applications of this law can be used to calculate the acceleration of the
rocket, from there students can align things correctly and perfectly.
 The equation of Newton’s second law:
⃗
F =m . ⃗a
Where:
 F is the net force acting on an object (in newtons, N ).
 m is the mass of the object (in kilograms, kg ).
 a is the acceleration of the object (in meters per second squared, m/s 2)
 Third Law (Action and Reaction): A rocket is able to lift off the pad because
the acceleration imparted by the expanding exhaust is able to overcome the
inertia of the rocket sitting on the pad. This is the same for a jet as it
accelerates down the runway. The rocket continues to accelerate because the
propellant use drives the mass of the rocket down, while the thrust of the
engine continues unabated, leading to a real fast ride at burnout!
 The equation of Newton’s third law:
⃗
F action=− ⃗
F reaction
This means:
o For every action force ( F action), there is an equal and opposite reaction force
( F reaction).
o The forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

1.2. Uniform linear motion

 In the study of rocket motion, uniform linear motion (also known as
constant velocity motion) can be used to model a rocket's behavior under
certain idealized conditions, particularly during parts of its ascent where the

4|Page
 velocity remains constant over time or when ignoring forces like gravity and
drag.

 Uniform linear motion occurs when an object moves in a straight line with a
constant velocity. The key feature of uniform linear motion is that the
acceleration is zero, meaning no net force is acting on the object (according
to Newton’s First Law).
 For a rocket, uniform linear motion can describe its motion in a vacuum or
during a phase where the rocket’s velocity is constant (e.g., after the engine
shuts off or when drag and gravity are balanced).

The equation of uniform linear motion is:

x (t )=x 0 + v . t
Where:
o x (t ) is the position of the rocket as time t ,
o x 0 is the initial position of the rocket (often set to zero)
o v is the constant velocity of the rocket.
o t is the time elapsed since the rocket started moving.

1.3. Conservation of Momentum

 The principle of momentum conservation is key for understanding how the
rocket accelerates as it ejects mass (exhaust gases). The change in
momentum of the exhaust is equal and opposite to the change in the rocket's
momentum.
 Equation 1:
dv dm
m. =−v e .
dt dt
Where:
o m: Mass of the rocket at a given time.
o v: Velocity of the rocket.
o v e: Exhaust velocity of the expelled fuel relative to the rocket.

5|Page
 dm
o dt
: Rate of change of the rocket’s mass (negative because the rocket
loses mass as fuel is expelled
1.4. Gravitational Forces
 Gravitational force plays a significant role in rocket motion, particularly
during the launch phase, as the rocket must overcome Earth's gravity to
ascend. The gravitational force acting on the rocket can be calculated using
Newton's Law of Gravitation:
M .m
F g=G . 2
r
Where:
o F g: Gravitational force (in newtons, N).
o G: Gravitational constant (6.674 . 10−11 N m2 /k g2)
o m: Mass of the rocket (in kilograms)
o M : Mass of the Earth (5.972 .10 24 kg )
o r : Distance from the center of the Earth to the rocket (in m)

1.5. Kinematics and Dynamics

Kinematics focuses on describing the motion of the rocket (position, velocity, and
acceleration) without considering the forces causing it.
1. Position:
o The height or displacement of the rocket is influenced by its velocity
and acceleration
1 2
x (t )=x 0 + v 0 . t + a . t
2

oFor vertical motion, this equation must account for gravitational

acceleration.
2. Velocity:
o The velocity of the rocket changes over time due to the thrust force and
gravity:
v ( t )=v 0+ a . t

6|Page
 3. Acceleration:
o Acceleration is determined by the net force acting on the rocket:
⃗
F net
a⃗ ( t )=
m(t)
oSince the mass of the rocket changes due to fuel consumption,
acceleration varies over time.
4. Trajectory:
o For rockets with non-vertical motion, the trajectory is influenced by
both vertical and horizontal components, leading to a parabolic or
elliptical path depending on the application (e.g., satellites,
interplanetary travel).

Dynamics explains the forces acting on the rocket and how they cause motion
(Newton's laws).
1. Forces Acting on the Rocket:
o Thrust Force
 Generated by the expulsion of fuel at high velocity.
 Related to the exhaust velocity and fuel burn rate
⃗ dm
F ( t )= v⃗ e .
dt

o Gravitational Force
 Opposes the rocket's motion:
⃗
F g=m. ⃗g
2. Net Force:
o The net force determines the rocket's motion:
⃗
F net= ⃗
F t −⃗
F g− ⃗
Fd
Where:
o F t: Thrust force produced by the rocket’s engine
o F g: Gravitational force acting downward
o F d: Drag force (air resistance)
3. Rocket Equation:
m0
v=v e . ln
mf

7|Page
 Where:
o v: Final velocity of the rocket
o v e: Exhaust velocity
o m0: Initial mass of the rocket (including fuel)
o mf : Final mass of the rocket (after fuel is burned)
This is known as the Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation, describing how the
velocity of the rocket depends on the exhaust velocity and the ratio of initial to
final mass.

8|Page
 2. Problem and solution
2.1. Problem
The rocket can move forward by a stream of propulsion gas from one end of the
rocket. This propellant flow is generated by the reaction that burns the fuel
contained in the rocket, so its mass decreases with time.

Solving this equation we can determine the rocket's acceleration from which we can
derive its equation of motion.
This project requires students to use MATLAB to graphically represent the motion
equation of the rocket.

2.2. Algorithms
Assume mass decrease at a constant rate:

Step 1: Input m0, h0, v0, n, v’ where m0, h0 and v0 is the initial mass, height and
velocity of the rocket respectively
Step 2: Equation for mass:

Step 3:

9|Page
Acceleration as a function of time a(t):

Step 4: Calculate acceleration using a(t)

Step 5: Using linear approximation, the code continuously update the parameters
over time.

2.3. MATLAB Code

function rocketAppLinear
% Create the figure for the app
fig = uifigure('Position', [100, 100, 600, 400], 'Name', 'Rocket Trajectory by linear approximation');

% Create input fields for data

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 350, 100, 30], 'String', 'Initial Mass (kg)');
initialMassField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 350, 100, 30]);

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 310, 100, 30], 'String', 'Final Mass (kg)');
finalMassField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 310, 100, 30]);

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 270, 100, 30], 'String', 'Fuel Burn Rate (kg/s)');
burnRateField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 270, 100, 30]);

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 230, 100, 30], 'String', 'Exhaust Speed (m/s)');
exhaustSpeedField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 230, 100, 30]);

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 190, 100, 30], 'String', 'Gravity (m/s^2)');
gravityField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 190, 100, 30]);

uicontrol('Style', 'text', 'Position', [50, 150, 100, 30], 'String', 'Max Time (s)');
maxTimeField = uicontrol('Style', 'edit', 'Position', [160, 150, 100, 30]);

% Create button to run the plot

uicontrol('Style', 'pushbutton', 'Position', [50, 100, 100, 30], 'String', 'Simulate', 'Callback', @(src, event)
simulateRocketTrajectory);

% Create axis for the plot

ax = axes(fig, 'Position', [0.4, 0.1, 0.55, 0.8]);

% Callback function for simulation and plotting

function simulateRocketTrajectory
% Get input values from the fields
m0 = str2double(initialMassField.String);
mf = str2double(finalMassField.String);
10 | P a g e
 burnRate = str2double(burnRateField.String);
v_e = str2double(exhaustSpeedField.String);
g = str2double(gravityField.String);
t_max = str2double(maxTimeField.String);
%Setting initial value and step value (either 0.01 or 0.001)
v=0;
y=0;
dt=0.01;
k=0;
%Calculate the moment the mass reached final value
Thrustend=(m0-mf)./burnRate;
%Creating update loop for the parameters
for t=0:dt:t_max
a=Accel(t);
k=k+1;
A(k)=a;
V(k)=v;
H(k)=y;
T(k)=t;
y=y+dt*v;
v=v+dt*a;
End
%Calculating accelerate at time t
function a=Accel(t)
if (t<=Thrustend)
f=burnRate.*v_e;
m=mass(t);
a=(f./m)-g;
else
a=-g;
end

End
%Calculate mass at time t
function m=mass(t)
if (t<=Thrustend)
m=m0-t.*burnRate;
else
m=mf;
end
End
%Plotting the height over time
plot(ax,T,H);
Title('Height over time');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Height');
grid

11 | P a g e
 end
end

2.4. Results

Results from the test case (a)

12 | P a g e
 Results from the test case (b)

Conclusion

This Physics 1 major project has taught our group how to collaborate and
about the symbolism of MATLAB. In addition to learning how to use
MATLAB symbolic calculation to solve problems involving rockets’
motion, we have also learned how to select the right step size in order to
achieve a particular level of accuracy.

Furthermore, our group would like to express our profound gratitude to

our instructor, Dr. Do Ngoc Son, who is also the instructor for this project
and the lecturer in Physics 1. Our crew finished the report on time and fixed
the issues we ran into because of your unwavering leadership. All group
activities have been guided by your advice, which has also optimized the
positive rapport between the instructors and students in the classroom. We

13 | P a g e
also want to express our profound gratitude for your meticulous instruction
of the theory, which has given us a strong basis on which to complete this
significant task.

Additionally, this is the first time our crew has completed a significant
assignment and produced a report for it. Additionally, we may have erred in
other ways. As a result, we sincerely hope you will pardon us for the faults
in this report.

References
A. L. Garcia and C. Penland, MATLAB Projects for Scientists and
Engineers, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1996.
http://www.algarcia.org/fishbane/fishbane.html. Or
https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/2268-projects-for-
scientists-and-engineers

14 | P a g e