Semester I Project: “Flying a Frisbee” NAME ______

Introduction Are you good at tossing a Frisbee? Have you ever wondered how a Frisbee is able to fly through the air so well? If you can throw a perfect, straight path trajectory at your target, you've already trained your arm to aid in the aerodynamics of Frisbee flight. For this project, you will first research the aerodynamics of Frisbees and then decide on two variables that you want to investigate. You will write a research paper on your own and then with a partner you will do an experiment on Frisbees that you design.

Key concepts, and terms (not an inclusive list) Aerodynamics Newton’s Laws (1st, 2nd and 3rd) Net Force Force of Hand Lift Spin Balanced Force Unbalanced Force Acceleration Force of Gravity Constant Speed Drag

Research Paper (1 – 2 pages): 37 points possible, Completed individually, put title and your name as a header, 1 inch margins, double spaced, time new roman font, size 12 point, put bibliography on a separate page with two sources, 5 paragraph minimum (introduction, content and conclusion)

a. Content Checklist and Rubric: _____ Introduction +5 _____ Explain how the Frisbee flies by identifying all the contact forces while in the hand +5 _____ Explain how the Frisbee flies by identifying all the contact forces while in the air +5 _____ Explain how the Frisbee flies by using Newton’s laws (balanced and unbalanced forces) +5 _____ Conclusion. +5 _____ Bibliography +2 (2 sources minimum)

b. Peer edit checklist +5 c. Peer suggestions +5

Draw two Free-Body Diagrams +6 The first FBD location is just before it leaves your hand, but the hand is still in contact. The second FBD location is when it is in flight. Experiment

Experimental Write-Up (typed): Completed with a partner, choose an independent and dependent variable to investigate. (33 points possible)

a. Title +1 b. Problem +5 (2 sentences minimum): What will you investigate? c. Hypothesis +5 (4 sentences minimum): based on your research what do you think the effect of your independent (manipulated) variable will be on your dependent (responding variable). d. Materials List +2 e. Procedure +5 (5 steps minimum): write it so that a 9 year old could follow your steps to collect the data. Identify the constant variables and how you will keep them the same. How will you measure distance traveled? f. Data Table +5 g. Graph +5 Construct a bar graph to show the affect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Use a graphing program don’t use paper and pencil. h. Conclusion +5 (5 sentence minimum): what did you find out? Identify how all the variables (independent, dependent and constants) influenced your data. Identify sources of error and ways to improve the experiment.

Potential sources for your research 1. What effect does the rim of a Frisbee have on its flight? from Ask Us Sport! Science at the Exploratorium 2. The Physics of the Frisbee (pdf) from Katherine Keller at the University of Florida 3. NASA Glenn Research Center: The Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 4. The Physics of Frisbees (pdf) from V. R. Morrison at Mount Allison University, Canada 5. The "Ultimate" Science Fair Project: Flying Disk Aerodynamics from Science Buddies

Summary and order of papers to be stapled and handed in 1. Self check list and peer suggestions +5 2. Self Edit and Peer Edit +5 3. Research Paper +27 4. Bibliography +2 5. Free Body Diagrams +6 6. Experiment +33 Paragraph thoroughly Self Check Peer Suggestions and correctly explained using relevant vocabulary Introduction Explain how the Frisbee flies by identifying all the contact forces while in the hand Explain how the Frisbee flies by identifying all the contact forces while in the air Explain how the Frisbee flies by using Newton’s laws (balanced and unbalanced forces) Conclusion

Bibliography (2 sources minimum)

Teacher Resources Brainstorm variables (as a class) and make a list below:

Background

As a side note, you've probably noticed that a Frisbee doesn't travel far if it's thrown without spin. Spinning the Frisbee helps it fly by supplying angular momentum, which helps keep the Frisbee stable; the faster it spins, the more stable it should be.