Science of Flight - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Science of Flight. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Science of Flight
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Science of Flight
Here is the step-by-step solution to your homework.
To label the forces correctly, look at the direction of the green arrows in the diagram:
1. Lift: This force pushes the airplane up. Look for the arrow pointing straight up from the wings.
2. Gravity (or Weight): This force pulls the airplane down toward the ground. Look for the arrow pointing straight down from the center of the plane.
3. Thrust: This is the power from the engines that pushes the airplane forward. Look for the arrow pointing forward out of the front/nose of the plane.
4. Drag: This is air resistance that slows the airplane backwards. Look for the arrow pointing backward from the tail.
Correct Labels:
* Arrow pointing Up: Lift
* Arrow pointing Down: Gravity
* Arrow pointing Forward (Right): Thrust
* Arrow pointing Backward (Left): Drag
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The image shows a cross-section of an airplane wing (called an airfoil) with lines representing airflow moving over it.
Explanation:
The air moving over the curved top of the wing has to travel faster than the air moving underneath the flat bottom. According to Bernoulli's principle, faster-moving air creates lower pressure. Because the pressure on top is lower than the pressure on the bottom, the higher pressure underneath pushes the wing up. This difference in pressure creates lift, which allows the heavy airplane to fly.
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Definition:
Aerodynamic means having a shape that allows something to move through the air easily with very little resistance. Think of how a fish is shaped to swim easily through water; an aerodynamic shape does the same thing for air.
How it counteracts force:
Being aerodynamic helps counteract drag (air resistance). Drag is the force that tries to slow the airplane down. By making the airplane smooth and streamlined (pointed nose, smooth body), the air flows around it smoothly instead of bumping into it. This reduces drag, allowing the engine's thrust to push the plane forward more efficiently.
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Final Answer:
1. Image Labels:
* Top Arrow (Up): Lift
* Bottom Arrow (Down): Gravity
* Front Arrow (Forward): Thrust
* Back Arrow (Backward): Drag
2. Explanation of the wing image:
The image shows air flowing over a wing. The air moves faster over the curved top surface than the flat bottom surface. This creates lower pressure on top and higher pressure on the bottom. The higher pressure underneath pushes the wing upward, creating lift.
3. Aerodynamics:
* Meaning: Aerodynamic means shaped to move through air easily with minimal resistance.
* Counteracting Force: It counteracts drag. A streamlined shape lets air flow smoothly around the object, reducing the friction and resistance that would otherwise slow it down.
Part 1: Labeling the Airplane
To label the forces correctly, look at the direction of the green arrows in the diagram:
1. Lift: This force pushes the airplane up. Look for the arrow pointing straight up from the wings.
2. Gravity (or Weight): This force pulls the airplane down toward the ground. Look for the arrow pointing straight down from the center of the plane.
3. Thrust: This is the power from the engines that pushes the airplane forward. Look for the arrow pointing forward out of the front/nose of the plane.
4. Drag: This is air resistance that slows the airplane backwards. Look for the arrow pointing backward from the tail.
Correct Labels:
* Arrow pointing Up: Lift
* Arrow pointing Down: Gravity
* Arrow pointing Forward (Right): Thrust
* Arrow pointing Backward (Left): Drag
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Part 2: Explain what is happening in the image above
The image shows a cross-section of an airplane wing (called an airfoil) with lines representing airflow moving over it.
Explanation:
The air moving over the curved top of the wing has to travel faster than the air moving underneath the flat bottom. According to Bernoulli's principle, faster-moving air creates lower pressure. Because the pressure on top is lower than the pressure on the bottom, the higher pressure underneath pushes the wing up. This difference in pressure creates lift, which allows the heavy airplane to fly.
---
Part 3: What does the word aerodynamic mean? How does being aerodynamic counteract force?
Definition:
Aerodynamic means having a shape that allows something to move through the air easily with very little resistance. Think of how a fish is shaped to swim easily through water; an aerodynamic shape does the same thing for air.
How it counteracts force:
Being aerodynamic helps counteract drag (air resistance). Drag is the force that tries to slow the airplane down. By making the airplane smooth and streamlined (pointed nose, smooth body), the air flows around it smoothly instead of bumping into it. This reduces drag, allowing the engine's thrust to push the plane forward more efficiently.
──────────────────────────────────────
Final Answer:
1. Image Labels:
* Top Arrow (Up): Lift
* Bottom Arrow (Down): Gravity
* Front Arrow (Forward): Thrust
* Back Arrow (Backward): Drag
2. Explanation of the wing image:
The image shows air flowing over a wing. The air moves faster over the curved top surface than the flat bottom surface. This creates lower pressure on top and higher pressure on the bottom. The higher pressure underneath pushes the wing upward, creating lift.
3. Aerodynamics:
* Meaning: Aerodynamic means shaped to move through air easily with minimal resistance.
* Counteracting Force: It counteracts drag. A streamlined shape lets air flow smoothly around the object, reducing the friction and resistance that would otherwise slow it down.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of airplane worksheet.
