According to Bernoulli's Principle, the faster molecules in a fluid or gas move, the less pressure they exert on the objects around them. Demonstrating this physics concept is as easy as folding a piece of paper and launching it into the air. All this simple paper copter requires is a pair of scissors, paper, and a paper clip.
What You Need:
- Paper
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Tape
- Paper clip
What You Do:
- Help your child draw a pattern similar to the one in the photo on an 8 ½" x 11" sheet of paper cut in half.
- Cut on the solid lines and fold on the dotted lines, taping the base of the whirly copter closed and adding a paperclip for extra weight.
- Have him hold the whirly copter about five feet off the ground and let go. What happens? How does he think Bernoulli's Principle explains how the copter fell?
What's Going On?
Faster moving air has less pressure than slower moving air. This means that the faster moving air flowing over the top of the wing exerts less pressure than the slower moving air flowing below the wing. This creates lift, and is part of the explanation behind how planes fly. Lift doesn't necessarily make something rise; it simply slows how fast it falls. The whirly copter's natural twirling motion reduces the air pressure above the wing, creating lift and slowing its fall.
To extend this project, simply experiment by adding more weight, using different weights of paper, different wing lengths, etc. Which design makes the whirly copter work best?
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