Aerodynamics
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Title:
| Aerodynamics |
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Description:
| Learn about the study of gases in motion called aerodynamics. Find out how this science applies to airplanes, parachutes, cars, bridges, buildings, living things, and more. Learn Bernoulli's principle, laws of aerodynamics, and its basics forces of gravity, lift, drag, and thrust. Get acquainted with shock waves, propulsion, and other forces. There are links to eThemes Resources on related topics of gravity, aviation and aircrafts, parachutes, and water-bottle rockets. |
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Grade Level:
| 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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Resource Links:
| Aerodynamics: The Study of Flight
This fourth-grader student project explores principles of aerodynamics and what makes planes fly.
Fact Monster: Aerodynamics
Here is a brief introduction to aerodynamics, basic forces, sound and thermal barriers. NOTE: The site includes pop-up and banner ads.
Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
This page has summative information on aerodynamics. Click on the highlighted words for more explanations and online simulations.
Forces of Flight
Explore the four main forces involved in aerodynamics: gravity, lift, drag, and thrust. Each page includes links to related activities at the bottom.
NASAexplores: X-Planes Explained
Read the article to find out how the shape of wings makes a big difference in flight. Scroll down the page for lesson plans on wing design and the X-Plane time line.
Flights of Inspiration: The First Flight: The Wind Tunnel
Here is a 3D replica of the first wind tunnel. Scroll down the page and click on the link "Parts of a Wind Tunnel" to access interactive pages with animations. Then select the "Make a Simple Wind Tunnel" link to learn how to build your own wind tunnel.
NASAexplores: Fly Like the Bird!
Find out why birds and planes fly in V-shaped formation. This article is a two-page PDF file.
Aerodynamics: Animal Flight Group
Read about conventional aerodynamics and compare it to insects' aerodynamics.
NASAexplores: Lift and Drag Averages
This seven-page PDF file has a hands-on activity created by NASA for fifth-eight graders. Kids can learn how to calculate average lifts and drags and graph the data.
NASAexplores: Is It Aerodynamic?
This lesson plan is designed to help younger kids learn principles of aerodynamics. There is a link to an article on the difficulties of landing a space shuttle and how astronauts use special planes with computer simulations for training. This is a three-page PDF file.
Bernoulli's Principle Animation
Learn the Bernoulli's principle and use an interactive animation to change settings and watch what happens.
Exploratorium: Science Snack: Bernoulli Levitator
Learn the Bernoulli principle of liquids and pressure while conducting an experiment with a thread spool and an index card. NOTE: The site has a link to discussion groups.
Exploratorium: Science Snack: Balancing Ball
This experiment with a hair dryer and a tennis ball demonstrates aerodynamics principles to younger kids. NOTE: The site has a link to discussion groups.
NASAexplores: Looking For the Least Drag
During this hands-on activity, children can build a drag force testing apparatus and conduct several experiments. This is a seven-page PDF file.
NASAexplores: The Flying Wing
Build you own wing and follow links to read articles about wing history and future. This seven-page PDF file includes instructions for the activity and a wing template.
NASAexplores: Flight Model
During this hands-on activity, kids can learn how wings elevons position affect the flight.
Paperplane Flying Circus
During this activity involving a paper plane, kids can learn about and discuss gravity, drag, lift, and thrust.
NASAexplores: Moving On Down the Highway
Find out how aerodynamics help truckers save on gas. This is a two-page PDF file.
Helicopter Aviation
Learn about the aerodynamics of a helicopter. The site is illustrated with drawings.
EngineSim and RangeGames Download
This page has two learning simulation games to download for older students.
eThemes Resource: Physics: Gravity
These sites explain how the earth's gravity works. Includes photos, simulations, videos, hands-on activities, and online quizzes.
eThemes Resource: Aviation: Activities for Junior and High School Students
These sites have classroom activity ideas and unit plans about aviation. Learn how aircraft fly and try to solve word problems and other mathematical equations relating to aviation. Download a flight simulator to navigate your own aircraft. Includes a link to an eTheme on Aviation: Military Aircraft.
eThemes resource: Transportation: Aircraft
These sites are about the history of aviation. Includes photographs of different types of aircraft, principles and concepts of flight and plane construction, women in aviation, and how to construct paper airplanes. An eThemes Resource on the Wright Brothers is linked.
eThemes Resource: Parachutes
Discover how a parachute works. Find out who was the first man to envision and sketch the first parachute. Learn about air resistance or drag force, drop time, and terminal velocity. The following online simulations and lesson plans are designed for physics and mathematics classes.
eThemes Resource: Physics: Water-Bottle Rockets
The following sites can help students understand how physics laws create motion and propel rockets. Learn about rocketry and how to build water-bottle rockets. These sites include lesson plans, activities, rocket launchers simulators, photographs, animations, and video.
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Education Standards:
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MO Standards:
1.1, 1.2, 3, 2
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