Introductory Information and Activities 

Before the Wright Brothers could meet their challenge they needed to understand the forces of flight.  There are 4 forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and weight (gravity). These introductory hands on activities will help you understand these forces.

This lesson may be very easily conducted if you divide your class into four cooperative groups. A student leader will be in charge of each group and will be responsible for reviewing directions, making sure that the activity is completed, and ensuring that everyone participates.
 

                                What are the four principles of flight?

Overview

In this lesson students will learn how lift, weight (gravity), thrust, and drag relate to how airplanes fly.

Objectives

After completing this lesson, students will be able to:

• explain the four principles of flight
• compare and contrast the four principles
• discuss the findings of each activity 

•   Activity #1  Lift:    a 2" X 10" paper strip
•   Activity #2  Weight (Gravity):  different objects:  pencil, book, shoe, etc.
•   Activity #3  Thrust:  6 feet(2 meters) of string, tape, balloons, and one straw.
•   Activity #4  Drag:  2 identical sheets of paper.

Time
      One 40 minute class period

Teacher Preparation

•  Background Information:

Weight (Gravity):  Galileo, the famous astronomer, studied gravity and how it affected falling objects.  All objects stay on the ground because of gravity.  Gravity is a natural force of the earth that pulls down on an airplane.  Airplanes fly because the upward force of lift is greater than the downward force of gravity.

Thrust:  Thrust is the force that moves an airplane forward.  It creates a flow of fast-moving air that blows in the opposite direction that the airplane is flying.  The thrust of an airplane must be greater than the force of drag which slows it down.  Powerful jet engines, or propellers, and streamline shapes increase airplane thrust.

Drag:  Drag is the force that pushes against an airplane that slows it down.  The shape of an airplane affects the amount of drag.  Aircraft engineers try to build planes with low drag because they  need less engine power to fly and have better flight performance.  The best airplanes have a sleek, trim shape so that they will cut like a knife through the air.  Drag is experienced by all moving objects.

Lift and  weight  are opposite forces as are thrust and drag.
 

Procedures

Activity #1  Lift:   What will happen to the strip of paper? 

•   Predict what will happen.
•   Materials:  2" X 10" paper strip. 
•   Procedure: 

  1.  Hold the strip with two hands just under your lower lip. 
  2.  Blow. 
•   Record observations and analyze results.

Activity #2  Weight (Gravity):  Do heavy objects fall faster than lighter ones?

•   Predict what will happen.
•   Materials:  different objects:  pencil, book, shoe
•   Procedure:

  1. Hold a different object in each hand.
  2. Hold the objects at the same height and drop them at the same 
      time.
• Record observations and analyze results. 

Activity #3  Thrust: What will happen to the balloon jet?
 

•   Predict what will happen.
•   Materials:  6 feet (2 meters) of string, tape, balloons, one straw.
•   Procedure:

  1.  Run the string through the straw and tie the two ends of 
       the string to two chairs.
  2.  Pull the chairs apart to make the string taut.
  3.  Blow up one balloon half way, and hold the neck closed.
  4.  Tape the balloon to the straw. 
  5.   Pull the balloon to one chair and let the balloon go.
  6.  Record how far the balloon jet travels.
  7.  Repeat the experiment, but blow up the balloon all the way.
  8.  Repeat steps 4 -6.
•   Record observations and analyze results.

Activity #4   Drag:  Which piece of paper will reach the ground first?
 

• Predict what will happen.
• Materials:  2 identical sheets of paper
• Procedure:

1. Crumple one sheet of paper into a ball.
2. Stand and hold the paper ball in one hand and the
    sheet of paper in the other hand.
3. Hold your hands at the same height and drop the papers 
    at the same time.
• Record observations and analyze results.

Project related lesson plans

Paper Airplane Science 
Flying Free- Cyberbee site
An Uplifting Experience
Paper Airplane Science (ERIC)
Paper Airplane Exploration: Webquest
Making Paper Airplane Gliders
Paper Airplane Science
Jumbo Jets- PBS site 
Gliders- PBS site
Plane Math Activities

Assessment

Enrichment