Hobbies And Interests
Bernoulli's Principle
Conduct an aviation experiment demonstrating Bernoulli's principle, which explains how planes get off the ground. Hang two cans 12 cm apart from strings attached to a table or ceiling. Turn on a hair dryer at the low setting and aim directly between the two cans. Time how long it takes the cans to move. Move the strings farther apart in 1 cm increments until the strings are 20 cm apart. Repeat the procedure and record results for both distance and time. Plot results in a data table and create a graph. The space between the two cans represents the low-pressure region. The difference in pressure between the cans will cause the cans to move together. Explain to students that pressure differences between the air flowing past the top and bottom of curved airplane wings gives the plane its lift.
Parachute
Conduct an experiment to test if different parachute sizes affect flight. Make the parachutes using garbage bags. Cut the bags to make a flat sheet. Make different sized square parachutes. Tie a knot in all four corners of the sheet. Tie a string to each of the knots. Tie the other ends of the strings together to form the parachute. Add four washers to the end of the tied strings. Time how long it takes for each parachute to land. Find a good place to let the parachutes go, such as a deck or balcony. Be sure to supervise the young scientists at all times. Test each parachute three times. Record results for each parachute and calculate the average for each. Plot the results in a graph.
Hot or Cold Air
Conduct an experiment to see if hot or cold air causes a balloon to rise. Attach several paper clips to the lower openings of two plastic film dry cleaner bags. Pump hot air into one bag with a hair dryer, then release the bag. Switch the dryer to the cool setting and repeat the procedure with the other bag. Hot air is less dense than cold air and the heat increases the movement of the air molecules, leading to greater buoyancy.
Spiraling Motion and Distance
Test to see how the difference in spiraling motion on a football affects the distance the ball is thrown. Go to a field and mark the distance on the ground in feet increments. Throw the ball in different spiraling motions and record the distance for each throw. Create a poster board presentation for your science project. The smoother the throw, or the more spiral motion imparted, will result in the greater distance thrown. The more the football spirals, the less the drag from the wind created and the farther the ball travels.