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