How to throw an airplane with paper?
The paper you choose should be medium weight. If too light it is likely to just float to the ground. If too heavy you will not be able to throw it as far. The creases in the folds should also be tight to make your airplane more aerodynamic. Before you throw your airplane, you want to make sure you are holding it in the right spot.
How do you measure the distance of a paper airplane?
Grab a ruler and use tape to mark every 12 inches along the floor. Use the Paper Airplane Data Collection Worksheet to record the distance of multiple airplane flights. Using recycled materials from around your home, fold a “basic dart” paper airplane. How far does your basic dart airplane fly?
How do you set up a paper airplane?
Before you can set your paper airplane into flight, you must first make sure the plane is folded properly. A simple plane with no tail section is recommended by Ken Blackburn. While there are some more advanced styles of airplanes that can be created, the simple long triangle shape is easiest and quickest to create.
Can you make a paper plane that flies farthest?
Put your design skills to the test with a paper airplane flight challenge! After creating so many test planes, you should have a good idea of what goes into making a paper plane that can travel long distances. Gather members of your household and see who can produce the model plane that flies farthest.
How to measure how far a paper plane flew?
Use the tape measure to measure how far (in centimeters or meters) the paper plane flew from the starting line. Record this distance in the data table in your lab notebook.
How to fly a paper plane?
Go to a large area to fly your paper plane. Make sure that there is no foot or car traffic at the area. A long hallway or your school gym is a good location. If you are flying your plane outside, like in a baseball field or on a basketball court, do your experiment on a day when there is no wind.
How does a paper plane come back to Earth?
But there is more than lack of thrust and poor wing design that gets a paper plane to come back to Earth. As a paper plane moves through the air, the air pushes against the plane, slowing it down.
How does a paper airplane work?
A paper airplane in flight will experience an initial thrust forward which begins its flight and lift from air which will help push it upward. These forces are counteracted by drag that acts in the opposite direction as thrust and gravity which will constantly pull the plane towards the ground. Figure 1.
What is the force of the air pushing your hand back as you move forward?
The force of the air pushing your hand back as you move forward is drag . Finally, the weight of the paper plane affects its flight and brings it to a landing.
What is the force that pushes a paper plane forward?
When you throw a paper plane in the air, you are giving the plane a push to move forward. That push is a type of force called thrust. While the plane is flying forward, air is moving over and under the wings and is providing a force called lift to the plane.
How many times should you repeat steps 7-8?
Repeat steps 7-8 four more times using the same plane, trying to throw the plane as similarly as possible. Doing these repeats will help ensure that your data is accurate and reproducible.
How to throw an airplane?
Before you throw your airplane, you want to make sure you are holding it in the right spot. The key is to find the center of gravity on your plane. This spot is not always in the very middle. The best place to hold your airplane is more towards the back, just a bit away from the very center. The plane will be a little heavier here with the wider spread of wings. Pinch it lightly with your thumb and index finger. Regardless of what shape you use to create your airplane, holding it properly before throwing can make a big difference in flight distance and time.
What happens if you throw an airplane straight down?
If you throw your airplane straight down, it will not catch any air currents and will likely nosedive into the ground. Each plane is a little different, so it will take practice to get just the right launching technique. Advertisement.
How does an airplane travel?
Just like real airplanes, in order for it to travel far it needs to ascends into the air currents. An airplane that travels far and stays aloft longer is one that acts more like a glider than an airplane. Your throwing motion is what gives it momentum, but it is the ability to stay up above the air current that makes it float. So if your plane is smooth and your throw is right, your plane should ascend and then ride an air current for awhile before gravity takes over. Your plane should maintain the same speed throughout the flight for maximum distance.
How to keep an airplane aloft?
For most people, the goal is to keep your airplane aloft for as long as possible. To achieve this, you want to throw your airplane according to the shape. If your plane has fat wings and is short, then you can throw this plane hard to give it speed for long distance.
What is the easiest plane to make?
While there are some more advanced styles of airplanes that can be created, the simple long triangle shape is easiest and quickest to create. You want to make sure the folds are even and balanced on both sides.
Is a paper airplane like a real airplane?
According to Ken Blackburn, past paper airplane world record holder, flying a paper airplane is a lot like flying a real airplane. If you want your folded craft to fly longer ...
What happens when you throw a plane?
When you throw your plane, you provide thrust, which pushes the plan forward through the air. This forward movement causes air molecules to travel over the top and bottom of the wings. Does the strength or the angle at which you throw your plan have an impact?
What are the forces that affect a paper airplane?
Like all planes, paper airplanes experience four forces: gravity, thrust, lift, and drag. Simple changes, like wing size, body weight, and throw power can significantly alter the forces your plane experiences.
How does air move on a plane?
As the plane travels, air moves quickly over the top of the wings. This creates lower pressure over the wings, allowing the high pressure under the wings to lift the plane up. Try making wider wings or wings that curve up or down at the ends.
Why do airplanes fly?
All airplanes, whether in your house or 35,000 feet in the sky, fly because the forces that push and pull them are balanced. It may sound simple, but many important design choices contribute to successfully keeping a plane in the air.
