Forces of Flight
This force pulls everything on Earth downward.
What is gravity?
Birds, airplanes, and helicopters all fly because they move this substance out of the way.
What is air?
This type of material is best for flight because it is strong but lightweight.
What is a lightweight material?
These two inventors built the first successful airplane in 1903.
Who are the Wright Brothers?
Airplanes can affect the environment by releasing these into the air.
What are emissions?
This upward force helps an airplane stay in the air.
What is lift?
The curved shape of an airplane wing helps create this force.
What is lift?
Airplane frames are often made of this metal because it is strong and light.
What is aluminum?
This invention allows pilots to control the direction of an airplane.
What are control surfaces (rudder, ailerons, elevators)?
Airplanes can affect people and animals near airports because they create a lot of this.
What is noise (noise pollution)?
This force pushes an object forward through the air.
What is thrust?
This principle explains how faster-moving air creates lower pressure.
What is Bernoulli’s Principle?
This property describes a material that can bend without breaking.
What is flexibility?
This modern flying technology can take off vertically and hover.
What is a helicopter?
This type of energy-powered flight causes less pollution.
What is an electric-powered flight?
This force slows an object down as it moves through the air.
What is drag?
Helicopter blades act like these airplane parts.
What are wings?
Designing, building, testing, and improving a flying device is part of this process.
What is the engineering design process?
These flying machines are often used for photography and deliveries today.
What are drones?
Reducing drag helps airplanes use less of this resource.
What is fuel?
An airplane stays in the air because these four forces are balanced.
What is lift, thrust, drag, and gravity?
Changing this part of a wing can change how much lift is created.
What is the angle?
This design feature reduces drag and helps objects move smoothly through air.
What is a streamlined shape?
Improving flight technology helps make transportation safer and more _____.
What is efficient?
Engineers must consider safety, cost, and this when designing new aircraft.
What is the environment?