Julie Franzak

ELED 305-42

6/19/2007

Science Area: Space Science

Science Misconception #5

Science Misconception:

Airplanes fly on air.

Sketch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fact:

Airplanes are sucked up into the air because of Bernoulli’s Principle which says that

Explanation:

Many young children believe this because they do not see planes being sucked up into the air; when they see airplanes in motion, it appears as if the plan is flying on air.

Suggested Activity:

Build a special paper airplane using the plane template above. Cut out the airplane and fold the top half at the dotted line (do Not fully crease the fold); make sure that the top half meets the bottom half. Fold the paper back to its original shape and tape a small piece at the wing tips and at the center points which are marked above as A, B, and C. Fold the plane along the center crease so that it creates a flattened “V”; the “V”’s angle should be no more than about 15 degrees. Test fly your plane. You can also add weights to the nose of the plane, D, or a paper clip. You can also cut slits into the tail of the plane and bend the paper cuts either up or down.

Source:

“Paper Airplanes”. http://www.fatlion.com/science/paperairplanes.html. Obtained on June 8, 2007.