Basics
Forces of Flight
Design & Shape
Testing & Data
Engineering Scenarios
100
What does the word aerodynamics mean?
How air moves around objects
100
Which force pulls objects downward toward Earth?
Weight (gravity)
100
Do bigger wings create more lift?
Yes
100
What is a control variable?
A control variable is something you keep the same in an experiment so it doesn’t affect the results.
100
You are designing a rescue drone. What is more important: speed or stability? Why?
Stability, for safe contro
200
Name one object besides airplanes that uses aerodynamics.
Rockets, cars, drones, wind turbines etc
200
Which force pushes an airplane forward?
Thrust
200
Why might a sharp nose reduce drag?
It lets air flow around more smoothly.
200
What is the control?
The "standard/ normal" condition you compare your results to.
200
You want a plane for racing. What must you reduce the most?
Drag
300
Why do engineers care about aerodynamics?
To reduce resistance, increase efficiency, and improve performance.
300
Which force pushes backward against motion?
Drag
300
Why is symmetry important in airplane design?
It helps the plane stay stable and fly straight.
300
Why do we test the airplanes more than once?
To account for any measurement errors, and ensure testing is fair
300
A Mars drone must fly in thinner air. What must increase?
Wing size or lift because thin air creates less upward force, so the drone needs more lift to stay in the air.
400
How does good aerodynamics make vehicles more sustainable?
They use less energy/fuel because there is less drag.
400
Which force allows an airplane to rise into the air?
Lift
400
Where is most of the plane's weight located?
At it's center of gravity
400
What do we call the thing we change in an experiment?
Independent Variable
400
If fuel is limited, what design goal becomes most important?
Efficiency (lift/drag)
500
What does a high lift-to-drag ratio tell you about how an object moves through air?
It means the object flies smoothly and efficiently because it gets a lot of lift compared to how much drag it has.
500
What force is arrow A representing?
Lift
500
Why might adding a little weight to the nose make a plane more stable?
t balances the plane / improves center of gravity
500
List the parts of the scientific method
Question – What you want to find out.
Research / Background – Learn what is already known.
Hypothesis – Your prediction about what will happen.
Experiment – Test your hypothesis with a fair procedure.
Data Collection – Record what happens during the experiment.
Analysis – Look at your data to find patterns or results.
Conclusion – Decide if your hypothesis was correct and explain why.
500
Why is “best design” different depending on the mission?
Different goals mean different tradeoffs.