aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is the study of the forces created when air moves over an object. We will be doing three different labs showing this along with Bernoulli's principle. The three labs will be straw planes, rocket balloons and paper airplanes (distance, accuracy and hang-time). This page will show the information covered along with the directions for the labs and the lab report write ups.
NOTES:
Daniel Bernoulli - 1700's invented shape called an airfoil (see above picture)
Bernoulli's Principle states that as air speed changes so will the air pressure
faster air over the top of the airfoil increases it lowers the air pressure
this uneven balance creates lift - an upward force created by pressure differences
thrust - force that creates forward motion
drag - force that resists or reduces forward motion (friction)
gravity - downward force
stability - a steady state of motion
pitch - forward backward stability
roll - left and right stability
yaw - side to side stability
Lab report format
Name of lab
Purpose
Procedure / directions
Materials
Observation / descriptions
Results
Conclusions
Be sure to include vocabulary in lab report and reasons why plane behaved as it did
Straw plane lab
Make plane using provided materials
Throw planes five times, write observations and measure distances
Rocket balloons
String fishing line
Inflate balloon and attach to string
Let go and measure distance balloon travelled
Paper airplanes
We will be making three designs - distance, hang time and accuracy
Each design will be tested five times with measurements and descriptions
Take the best design for class competition