Center of Gravity
This point represents the average location of the weight of an object.
What is the center of gravity?
This device uses signals from satellites to determine location.
What is a GPS (Global Positioning System)?
The Wright brothers are famous for achieving this milestone in 1903.
What is the first controlled, powered flight?
Gliders achieve lift through this principle.
What is aerodynamics?
This ancient wonder of the world, located in Egypt, is the last standing monument of the original Seven Wonders.
What is the Great Pyramid of Giza?
True or False: Moving the center of gravity forward makes an object more stable.
True
This instrument measures an aircraft's heading relative to magnetic north.
What is a compass?
This German engineer is known as the "father of rocketry."
Who is Wernher von Braun?
The aspect ratio of a glider's wings affects its performance in this way.
What is lift and maneuverability?
Built in the 17th century, this Indian landmark is an architectural marvel made entirely of white marble.
What is the Taj Mahal?
The center of gravity of an object is affected by these two factors.
What are mass and distribution?
Pilots use this celestial body for navigation, especially during daylight hours.
What is the sun?
The first human-made object to reach space was launched by this country in 1957.
What is the Soviet Union (or Russia)?
This type of wing design, common in gliders, reduces drag and increases efficiency.
What is a high aspect ratio wing?
Found in Cambodia, this massive temple complex was originally constructed as a Hindu temple but was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple.
What is Angkor Wat?
When an object's center of gravity is outside its base of support, it may experience this.
What is instability or tipping over?
This navigational technique involves flying between two fixed points using instruments.
What is dead reckoning?
This American agency was founded in 1958 and is responsible for the nation's civilian space program.
What is NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)?
This part of a glider's design helps control pitch and yaw during flight.
What are control surfaces or ailerons?
This colossal statue, standing at over 30 meters tall, is situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, overlooking the city from atop Corcovado Mountain.
What is Christ the Redeemer?
The center of gravity of an aircraft must be carefully managed to prevent this dangerous situation.
What is a loss of control or a crash?
Before GPS, ships and aircraft relied heavily on these to navigate accurately over long distances.
What are navigational charts or maps?
In 1969, this astronaut became the first person to walk on the moon.
Who is Neil Armstrong?
Glider pilots seek out these types of air currents to gain altitude during flight.
What are thermals or updrafts?
This Japanese landmark, located in Hiroshima, is a symbol of peace and resilience, having survived the atomic bombing during World War II.
What is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)?