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LESSON PLAN FOR CAP PAPER AIRPLANE

Objective: To present the four forces of 4. is the force that acts opposite to a. The elevons act as elevators when and experiment with airplane con - the direction of motion. Drag, caused turned in the same direction: when trol surfaces through the use of a paper air - by air resistance, slows an airplane . b o t h e l e vons are turned up, the plane plane. moves upward (ascends); when both The way the four forces act on the airplane elevons are turned down, the plane National Science Content Standards: makes the plane do different things. Each moves downward (descends). (Source : National Research Council) force has an opposite force that works b. The elevons act as when one Science as Inquiry against it. works opposite of gravity. elevon is turned up and the other – Abilities necessary to do scientific Thrust works opposite of drag. When the down, which will make the airplane inquiry forces are balanced, a plane flies in a level roll to the left or the right when – Understanding about scientific direction. The plane goes upward if lift is thrown. inquiry greater than weight. The plane will go Physical Science downward if weight is greater than lift. Procedures: – Motions and forces The plane will accelerate forward when 1. Fold the paper plane following the Science and Technology thrust is greater than drag. The plane will directions on the next page. – Abilities of technological design slow down when drag is greater than 2. Experiment with angles of throws, Unifying Concepts and Processes thrust. angles of elevons, and amount of thrust – Evidence, models and explanations to determine how to control the flight. The airplane has many moveable surfaces – Form and function 3. Have contests to determine highest that work to control the direction of move - , longest flights aloft, best control ment of the airplane. of direction, and best target mark. Background Information: 1. The flaps, on the inside of each wing There are four forces acting on an airplane toward the (body) of the plane, Assessment: Have students identify the in flight: lift, gravity, thrust, and drag . A work to slow the speed of the plane, force is a push or a pull, and the four forces of flight and the surfaces that cause adding the force of “drag.” the plane to change direction by answering forces of flight affect the direction and 2. The ailerons, on the outside end of each motion of the airplane . these questions. wing, work to make the airplane “roll” 1. Air flowing over and under the wings when one is up and the other is Lift creates the force of ______. down. 3. The rudder, on the vertical stabilizer, 2. ______is the force that pulls the airplane down and is the opposite of lift. Drag turns the plane left or right. 4. The elevators, located on the rear of the 3. The engines provide the force of airplane, move, or pitch, the plane ______. upward or downward. Thrust 4. ______is the force working to slow the plane’s motion. 5. The movable part on the horizontal sta - Gravity bilizer that moves the plane up and 1. Lift is the force that holds an airplane in down is the ______. the air. The wings create most of the lift 6. A movable part that is “part aileron and due to the wing’s special shape and how part ” and allows the plane to air flows over the wing. The slower air roll or move up or down is called the moving under the wing creates a higher

______.

n o v e l e - 6 r o t a v e l e - 5 g a r d - 4 t s u r h t - 3 y t i v a r g - 2 t f i l -

pressure which helps push the wing up. On the paper you will be making, 1

: s r e w s n 2. Gravity is the force that pulls every - some of the parts (which are labeled on the A thing toward the ground. This “pulling next page) include: down force” is what causes something 1. The vertical stabilizer at the rear of the Additional Resources : to have weight that can be measured on plane which stabilizes and controls the 1. Web site with interactive airplane parts a scale . plane’s flight. and comparison to Wright Brothers air - 3. Thrust is a force that moves an object in 2. The two winglets located on the tip of plane can be found at: the direction of the motion. It can be each wing which help increase lift and http://www.nasm.si.edu/wrightbroth - created with a propeller, jet engine, or reduce drag. ers/classroomActivities/k-3_flash.html rocket. With a propeller or jet engine, 3. The two “elevons” at the rear of the 2. Web site for additional information on air is pulled in and then pushed out in an plane are a combination of the ailerons forces of flight can be found at: opposite direction. Throwing an object and elevators and work to make the http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K- creates thrust, as well. plane rise, fall, and/or roll. 12/airplane/forces.html AIRPLANE FOLDING INSTRUCTIONS

Winglet

Elevons Tape Tape Vertical Stablizer Elevons

Fuselage (body) Winglet

THE PLANE -- Flip the paper over so that the printed fold lines are facing down. -- Fold the top corners along the outside fold lines and crease down. Repeat for the next set of folds. -- Fold the nose back, as shown. -- Fold along the center line so the lines and graphics are on the outside. -- Fold down each wing and fold up the corner flaps. -- Tape together nose, wing and fuselage for optimum performance. -- Throw smoothly.

THE ADJUSTABLE ELEVONS -- Cut on sides, as shown. -- Fold up to make the plane rise...fold down to make the plane drop. -- Fold one up and one down to make the plane roll.

THE VERTICAL STABILIZER -- Bring the two angled fold lines together. -- Crease along the top. C h --a rIta cshouldter Ed stabilize, Conne cortio control,n the flight better. Discuss how the forces of flight are much like life: to move upward in life in a smooth manner, one has to keep all positive forces in good balance; not allowing negative forces to gain control. Aim high! For more AE lessons and materials go to: www.capmembers.com/ae