I am planning to conduct a model rocket project with a high school physics
class and I wanted them to collect data on their rockets.
One of the variables that I wanted them to determine is the coefficient of
friction or drag on the parachute as the rocket came back down.
I wanted to get an opinion on the best way to accomplish this.
My first thought was to have them find the velocity of the rocket on its
descent and calculate the velocity of the rocket where there is no friction.
Then use the frictionless rocket as the accepted value and the velocity they
found for their descent as the experimental value.
(Accepted value minus experimental value)/ accepted value. The difference
in the velocities is due to friction or drag.
What might be a better way?
They will know the beginning mass, ending mass, altitude, and time of flight
both up and down.