Bernoulli’s Flight Lab - Urban Steelworks



Bernoulli’s Flight Lab

Bernoulli’s Principle states that fast moving fluids exert low pressure. It is this principle that is the basis for airplane flight. An airfoil, or wing, is designed to curve a stream of air up and over a longer path causing the air to move faster thus exerting a higher pressure and a push upwards from below. In this lab you will try creating a paper airplane with an airfoil.

1. Get an airplane template. Cut it out and fold back following the instructions on the template. Tape the airfoil at A, B and C. Then make a shallow fold along the middle like the picture on the template. Try and shape your airfoil like a teardrop with a greater curve on top as best you can.

2. Take your plane and a meter stick outside and launch your plane. How far can you get it to fly? Did your plane get any lift (did it go up without you throwing it up)? Try a dozen flights and write your results below. If your plane is not flying well, try shaping your airfoil to improve lift and/ or put a paper clip or tow on the nose.

|Flight Number |Distance traveled in meters |Lift or not – Yes or No |

|1 | | |

|2 | | |

|3 | | |

|4 | | |

|5 | | |

|6 | | |

|7 | | |

|8 | | |

|9 | | |

|10 | | |

|11 | | |

|12 | | |

4. Now challenge another group to a long distance flight. Write who wins!

5. Finally, tear flaps in the tail to make your plane turn left or right. Write down if you could make your plane turn left or tight.

4. Re-state Bernoulli’s Principle and then draw air moving over an airfoil and diagram how high pressure is created from below to achieve lift.

Now turn in your lab with your name on it, and get a pressure review from the basket!

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