Hypersonics is an activity developed by Learning Undefeated to help students explore thermodynamics and the importance of heat transfer as it relates to speeds over Mach 5.
Hypersonic is in reference to the speed of an object going past Mach 5. Research in this field has been ongoing since the 1960s with space shuttle programs that reach over Mach 25 during re-entry from space. Current ventures in space shuttle technology have shifted over to designing even more advanced materials in hopes of sustainability/reusability in space travel. Furthermore, the application of hypersonics to more regular commercial use, such as air travel, would reduce flight time significantly. What normally takes 5 hours to fly across the United States would only take 30 minutes!
The Department of Defense is researching hypersonics primarily for the purpose of strategic defense. Currently, hypersonic technology is readily available for military use but is very expensive and cost-prohibitive. Efforts are being made to identify and develop cost-effective counter-measures as means of layering defense strategies against foreign opposition. Innovation in this field can be found primarily through the development of materials as seen with space shuttles (carbon-reinforced materials) or sustainability of production of materials (3D printing).
In this activity, students will learn what hypersonics is as it relates to space shuttles and the role of thermodynamics and heat transfer in finding successful space flight.
Free modeling software based on computational physics. Comes with built-in examples as well as allowing the user to design their own computational experiments.
This database provides thermal properties used in Energy2D. Users are able to look up different materials and apply their thermal properties within their computational experiments.
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In this challenge, students will practice problem-solving and collaboration skills as they design, build, and test their wind turbine
prototypes. Students will explore the role of renewable energy in powering communities, learn about energy transfer and mechanical systems, and gain insight into the importance of sustainable energy solutions.
In this activity, students will read the story "In a Garden" by Tim McCanna. They will learn about the life cycle of a plant, what seeds need to grow, and what keeps seeds from growing. They will then create their own seed house and watch their seeds sprout!
