Why do certain folds on paper airplanes effect the velocity, height and distance it flies? By: Kevin Cianciolo Genius Hour

Answer and Explanation The folds on a paper airplane effect the velocity, height, and distance it travels by the thrust you throw it with, the lift the wings provide, gravity pulling down on it, and the drag which it causes it to slow down. These forces are called aerodynamic forces that allow it to stay in the air. There is also two types of other forces, weight and friction, but that depends on the paper you are using.

Lift and Thrust These two forces act together because the thrust that you throw it with, allows the lift to pull the plane up and keep it flying. The lift also depends on the design of the plane and wings. To make a paper airplane stay in the air longer, you want to keep the wings pointed up, so when it leans to a side it adjusts itself. Definition of thrust: To push or drive something quickly and forcefully. Definition of lift : raise to a higher position or level

Gravity and Drag These two forces act together because after the plane is initially thrown, the thrust declines and the drag increases. Gravity is a consistent force that pulls everything to the center of the earth. Gravity is always pulling down on the plane. Definition of Gravity : the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth Definition of Drag: pull (someone or something) along forcefully, roughly, or with difficulty.

Fun Facts The world’s largest paper aircraft was built by the students and employees of the Braunschweige Institute of Technology in Germany in It had a wing span of almost 60 feet weighed over 50 pounds. According to the Paper Aircraft Association, a paper airplane thrown in space will not fly; it will float in a straight line. Unless it hits an object, it could literally float forever The longest recorded distance flown by a paper airplane thrown from the ground indoors is 193 fest (more than twice the length of a basketball court). It was thrown by Tony filch in la crease, Wisconsin, on may 21, 1965.

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