Drag is the backward force acting on a flying object, causing it to slow down. It is the air resistance the objects feel while moving. Have you ever put your hand out the window of a moving car? That push backward of air on your hand is drag!
Students should explore what creates drag on flying objects such as birds, insects, planes, etc. It is also important they understand how to increase/decrease drag and in what situations we would want to do so. For example, we would want to increase drag of skydivers' parachutes to ensure they land safely. How could we do that? We would want to reduce drag of fighter jets so they can fly fast and far. How could we do that? Through investigating drag, students will become familiar with the concept of aerodynamics and the role it plays in designing flying objects.
Background information you should know: It is important for flying objects to have the least drag as possible to stay in the air. If there is too much drag, the flying object will be slowed down enough to start falling. This is where aerodynamics comes into play. The more streamlined an object is, the faster and farther it can go. Streamlined shape allows air to easily pass over objects (like race cars and jets), reducing the force of drag. The way air passes over objects is called “aerodynamics”. The smoother and more streamlined an object is, the more “aerodynamic” it is.
Here are some resources you and the student can explore to investigate drag. They fit into the Nova Scotia Grade 6 Science Curriculum by exploring the outcome: Learners will evaluate factors that influence flight.
1) Activity: Making and testing parachutes. This is an activity created by me to explore how we can make and modify parachutes to increase/decrease drag.
Students should explore what creates drag on flying objects such as birds, insects, planes, etc. It is also important they understand how to increase/decrease drag and in what situations we would want to do so. For example, we would want to increase drag of skydivers' parachutes to ensure they land safely. How could we do that? We would want to reduce drag of fighter jets so they can fly fast and far. How could we do that? Through investigating drag, students will become familiar with the concept of aerodynamics and the role it plays in designing flying objects.
Background information you should know: It is important for flying objects to have the least drag as possible to stay in the air. If there is too much drag, the flying object will be slowed down enough to start falling. This is where aerodynamics comes into play. The more streamlined an object is, the faster and farther it can go. Streamlined shape allows air to easily pass over objects (like race cars and jets), reducing the force of drag. The way air passes over objects is called “aerodynamics”. The smoother and more streamlined an object is, the more “aerodynamic” it is.
Here are some resources you and the student can explore to investigate drag. They fit into the Nova Scotia Grade 6 Science Curriculum by exploring the outcome: Learners will evaluate factors that influence flight.
1) Activity: Making and testing parachutes. This is an activity created by me to explore how we can make and modify parachutes to increase/decrease drag.
activity-_parachutes.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
2)Activity: Testing paper planes with different drag. How does the design of a paper plane affect its flight?
www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-paper-planes-drag/
3) Video - Homemade parachutes. A video representation of experimenting with drag using parachutes.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-paper-planes-drag/
3) Video - Homemade parachutes. A video representation of experimenting with drag using parachutes.
4) Activity - Experimenting with Drag and Streamlined Shapes. Easily modified based on supplies you have at home!
www.theottoolbox.com/experiments-with-air-drag-streamlined-shapes/
www.theottoolbox.com/experiments-with-air-drag-streamlined-shapes/
5) Activity: Drag and paper shapes. How does the shape of the paper affect drag?
mste.illinois.edu/TCD_new/Aerodynamic_Forces/drag.html