jmattingly13
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone!
It wasn't until a while ago until I began to think about the math that is involved in rocketry, but I'm lost on what all is used. I imagine that there's equations for altitude, CP, CG, drift. I was wondering if anyone might know what the equations are and what other type(s) of math and physics is involved with rockets.
Thanks
Every part of a rocket, both amateur and commercial, can be described by math and physics. The approach everybody here has taken is that of flight mechanics/performance. There are equations that govern structures, propulsion and fluid mechanics, aerodynamics and flight mechanics, electronics, GNC (where applicable), and more. All of these are typically difficult-to-solve partial differential equations that are linearized and simplified (for a narrow-ish range of cases that we may reasonably expect to see, based largely on order of magnitude analysis and operational envelopes) into more familiar equations. It is unrealistic to expect to become an expert in all of the equations that govern rockets, but if there is a specific area of interest, we could certainly clarify. Most performance problems can be solved with algebra, geometry, and introductory calculus, which will yield a pretty good first order solution. The more accurate you need to be, the more complex the mathematics and physics.