studentobjectives.docVIP

Student Objectives An increased speed of airflow over a surface results in a decrease in air pressure over that surface. Air moves faster over a cambered, or arched, surface than over a flat surface. Together, these two facts explain how an airplane lifts into the air and stays in the air. Materials Discovery School video on unitedstreaming: Understanding FlightSearch for this video by using the video title (or a portion of it) as the keyword.Selected clips that support this lesson plan: Getting up in the Air Characteristics of Our Atmosphere Air: The Substance We Fly In Air Pressure Air Flow Research materials on flight Computer with Internet access For each group: Two sheets of paper Two empty soda cans Transparent drinking straw Scissors A cup of water Procedures Review with your students what they have learned about the principles of flight. Then let them know that they are about to perform a series of simple experiments that will demonstrate the principles that make it possible for an airplane to lift into the air and remain aloft. Divide the class into groups, providing each group with the materials listed above. Instruct the groups to perform the following brief experiments. Before each experiment, have group members predict the results. Hold two sheets of paper so that they are hanging vertically with their surfaces facing each other, close together in front of your mouth. Now blow in between the papers, and observe the result. (The sheets of paper will move closer together.) Lay two empty soda cans on their sides, parallel to each other, and fairly close together on a table or desk. Holding a drinking straw between the cans and parallel to them, blow through the straw. What happens to the cans? (They will move closer together.) Cut a transparent drinking straw into thirds and hold one segment upright in a cup of water, with the top of the straw segment above the surface of the water. Blow across the top of the straw and observe what happen