Learning to Fly Why we fly? The Mechanics of Flight

Air Air is ________, colorless, tasteless, and usually odorless Air can change shape when pressure is applied Air can adjust to fit and fill any ___________ Activity:

Atmosphere Atmosphere is composed mainly of _________, Oxygen, Argon The lowest layer contains Water Vapor Why do planes fly above 35,000 ft.? (10,668 M) –The ________ gases weigh more and are lower in the atmosphere –There is less air __________ higher up –Turbulence occurs when you land

Warm Air Rises Air _________ and becomes lighter when heated …Another reason why planes fly higher in the air

Da Vinci Was the first to suggest air offered ___________ to motion

Fascination with Flight Man has always been obsessed with flight The skies are where the creators of Earth have always dwelled Thousands of different machines have been built Closer to the unknown

The Big Four Thrust –Force that ________ the plane through the air Drag –Any resistance on the _________ motion of the plane Lift –The upward force that _________gravity Gravity –Pulls the airplane ____________ Diagram

Thrust Thrust is supplied by the thrower __________ pulls the plane downwards If your plane points _____________, gravity will add to the thrust

Drag The airplane’s nemesis Any surface not ___________ to the flow or air Make effort to reduce drag by: –Make sharp creases –Accurate ____________

Lift The point that seems to create ______ Lift is the opposite of gravity Is caused by the _______ of the wing Activity: Fold a sheet of paper in half and gently curve one section, blow across and observe as it moves upwards. Air speed increases on top and lowers underneath

Gravity Pulls the airplane ___________ The weight of the plane

Helpful Tips Tape the body together Use a ruler for sharp and accurate folds Cut elevators in the backelevators Make sure wings are flat Use experimental procedures (one variable at a time) Hold your airplane near the front when launching Launch airplane at a level angle Add weight on the body to fly smoothly (paperclips) Add weight to the center of gravity.center of gravity Question