Water Rocket Computer Model Problems

Answer to problem 3

Answer - 320 x 240 pixels GIF

I asked for an explanation for the following . . .
1. to find an explanation for the diagonal lines.

The picture above is just an enhancement of the screenshot. It shows more clearly the diagonal lines. It also shows the fact that the image is of a lump with the diagonal lines superimposed on it. The lines are caused by having a long interval on the post-thrust integration part of the flight.

The computer model calculates the position of the rocket and then checks to see if it has hit the ground yet. Once it has done so (ie the height is at or below ground level) the flight is terminated. If the time between each check for the end of the flight is sufficiently large, these ridges form. They can be eliminated by choosing a shorter post-thrust time-slice.

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