Forces of Flight
These are the four main forces acting on an airplane.
Thrust, Lift, Weight, Drag
Energy from the sun is called this.
Solar Energy
Oil, coal, and natural gas are all examples of this type of fuel.
Fossil Fuels
This pair of brothers made the first successful powered airplane flight in 1903.
What is an aircraft?
An aircraft is a vehicle that is designed by humans to travel through the air. Jets, Airplanes, Helicopters
This force opposes thrust and slows the airplane down.
Drag
This renewable fuel is made from plant and animal materials.
Biomass
What are the cons of Non-Renewable energy?
Will eventually run out
Causes air pollution
Contributes to global warming
Can cause health problems
Damages land and water (mining, oil spills)
Nuclear energy creates radioactive waste
What is the biggest obstacle that makes flying a challenge as humans are not designed to fly.
Gravity-
Gravity
is the force of attraction that pulls together all matter. The Earth has a
gravitational pull that pulls all matter towards the centre of the earth. This keeps us on
the ground and it makes things that are in the air, fall to the ground.
How does a hot air balloon achieve lift?
Here’s how it works:
The burner heats the air inside the balloon.
When air is heated, it expands and becomes less dense (lighter) than the cooler air outside.
Because the air inside is lighter than the surrounding air, the balloon rises.
This force is created by the engines to move the airplane forward.
Thrust
Cons of renewable energy
Depends on weather (sun, wind, rain)
Can be expensive to build initially
Energy production can be inconsistent
Requires large areas of land
Energy storage (batteries) can be costly
May impact wildlife and natural habitats
What are the pros of Non-Renewable Energy?
Produces large amounts of energy
Reliable and available anytime
Relatively inexpensive
Easy to transport and store
Existing infrastructure is already built
Supports many jobs and industries
What is the name of the Lego Aircraft that Miss Labrie gifted to her brother?
The Concorde
What is a fluid?
Air is a fluid that is made of different air particles that are loosely held together in a gas form. A fluid is any substance that flows, which means air is a fluid as the gas flows in our atmosphere.
If air was not a fluid, nothing could fly through it. In outer space, it is a vacuum, meaning
there is no air. With no fluid, it would be impossible to takeoff from the moon the same way
airplanes takeoff on Earth. This is because airplanes use the properties of air to achieve lift
off. To achieve lift, an airplane will travel quickly through the fluid in the air. The plane’s
What is buoyancy in flight?
is the upward force that allows an object to float in a fluid — including air.
In aviation, buoyancy is what makes lighter-than-air aircraft rise.
Pros of renewable energy
Will not run out
Produces little to no air pollution
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Better for the environment
Can lower energy costs over time
Creates jobs in growing industries
This type of non-renewable energy comes from uranium.
Nuclear Energy
What is the percentage of people in the world that are afraid of flying?
80%
Why are birds and planes aerodynamic?
Aerodynamics
means we make objects that have a shape which reduces the drag from air moving
past. Turning your hand sideways when you have it out a car window reduces the
drag from the air moving past as the fluid (air) can easily move past the small
surface area of your hand. Therefore, we can reduce drag by making aerodynamic
planes that cut through the air easier.
This force pulls an airplane down toward the Earth.
Gravity/ Weight
How can we conserve energy?
Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
Use energy-efficient light bulbs (LEDs)
Unplug chargers and devices when not needed
Use less hot water
Adjust thermostat settings (lower in winter, higher in summer)
Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk
Insulate homes to reduce heating and cooling use
Use energy-efficient appliances
Burning these fuels releases gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Greenhouse gases
% of the world’s population have ever been on an airplane?
5%
This principle explains how faster-moving air over a wing creates lift.
Bernoulli's Principle