If we do a different action
every time we throw the
airplane will the paper airplane
stay in the air longer?
An Airplane Webquest By:
Cassidy
Herb
Duain
Independent Variables
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Our independent variable is the action we
do when we throw the paper airplane.
Dependant Variable
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Our dependant variable is how long the
paper airplane stays in the air using different
actions while tossing it.
Consistent Variables
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Our consistent variables are...
The same type of paper (Copy Paper)
The amount of paper clips (15)
Standing in the same place (6th Grade Hall)
The same type of planes (Mr. Blackburn's
Simple Airplane)
The way we tossed it with our hands
(overhand)
Hypothesis
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Our hypothesis is “If we take one step with
our right foot then our paper airplane will fly
longer than if we just stand still with our feet
together or jumping when we throw the paper
plane.”
Procedure
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Collect all the materials which include
3 pieces of copy paper, (Made into a paper airplane)
15 paperclips, (That have been put on each of the airplanes(5 each))
3 pencils,
1 timer,
2 airplane packets,
First go to the spot you want to throw the airplane. When you get there, make the pilot hold the
paper airplane with their right hand and get the timer ready.
Hit the start button on your timer as soon as the pilot throws your paper airplane overhand and
taking a step with their right foot. As soon as the plane hits the ground stop the timer.
Repeat 4 more times and write down all your data.
With your second airplane make your pilot stand in the same exact place throwing overhand
again, but this time standing still, with he or she’s feet together.
Time it exactly like before and repeat 4 more times and write down all your data.
Now for your third paper airplane make your pilot stand in the same place, throwing overhand
again, but this time jumping when he or she throws the plane.
Time it exactly like the first two times again, repeat 4 more times and write down all your data.
Data Table
Independent
Variable
Trial 1
Copy paper/
Overhand/
Step with
right foot
when throw
1 sec 1 sec 2 sec
25 ms 68 ms 1 ms
Copy paper/
Overhand/
No step
when throw
1 sec 2 sec
74 ms 3 ms
Copy paper/
Overhand/
Jump when
throw
1 sec 2 sec 1 sec 2 sec 1 sec 1 sec
37 ms 20 ms 79 ms 18 ms 84 ms 89 ms
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Average
1 sec 2 sec 1 sec
30 ms 14 ms 69 ms
1 sec 1 sec 1 sec 1 sec
83 ms 72 ms 57 ms 78 ms
Graph
1.9
1.85
1.8
1.75
Airplane 1
Airplane 2
Airplane 3
1.7
1.65
1.6
1.55
Time in
seconds
Conclusion
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The hypothesis, “If we take one step with our right foot then our
paper airplane will fly longer than if we just stand still with our feet
together or jumping when we throw the paper plane” is rejected. The
data shows that when we threw the airplane when we stepped with
our right foot it only flew 1:69 and that actually was the shortest
flying time out of all three.
The results of the investigation are useful because if anybody wants
to beat Mr. Blackburn’s record they will know not to take a step with
their right foot because the paper airplane will soar for a very short
time.
The investigation can be improved by improving the quality of the
paper airplanes.
Credits
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All pictures from Microsoft Power Point clip art.
All information learned from airplane webquest site.
http://www.hartville.k12.mo.us/schoolwebs/Hk-6/wilsont/scientificmethodpaperairplanes/index.html
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Special Thanks to The Millie Example PowerPoint.
Also, a big thanks for letting us use all links that were on
the Airplanes Webquest.
Lastly Special Thanks to Mrs. Murphy for all the help! 