1.2 Aerodynamic Distance
Mission: Using only the materials provided, design and build a device or vehicle to fly as far as possible. A team member may initiate the motion of the vehicle or device but must release the device or vehicle before the Starting Line.
Criteria and Constraints: Our class was allowed to use the following materials.. 2 sheets of paper 12 inches of masking tape A paper clip Each group had 5 minutes to brainstorm ideas, 10 minutes to build our design, 1 minute to test our device, 5 minutes to re-design device, and finally each group presented their design by attempting to fly their vehicle down a hallway in the school. If the paper airplane hit the ceiling or the wall it would be disqualified. How it Worked: Using our knowledge of Bernoulli's Principle our group folded one piece of paper so that the wings would create an airfoil. An airfoil is shaped in such a way that causes air to travel faster over the top of the airfoil compared to the bottom of it. When air speeds up, its pressure decreases. Since air pressure on the top of the wing is lower than the air pressure on the bottom of the wing, it produces lift. The same concept is used to make vacuums suck up dirt and dust. Results and Reflections: Overall the device was a failure. In testing our plane was fairly consistent and flew relatively straight, It max distance was about forty-eight feet. But when it came time for our final test/throw our plane shot upward and to the left, it achieved a distance of about 12 feet. If I could take away one thing from this activity, it would be to be more relaxed when it came time to do the final throw. Our group was too tense and it resulted in a poor distance. |