The Principia School
Physic teacher: Kathy Foy kathy.foy@principia.edu
Algebra 1 teacher: Sheila Hobson sheila.hobson@principia.edu
Flying High with Interdisciplinary Learning Using
Hands-On STEM Activities
Math & Physics
Name:__________________________________
Period:_________________________
Test your glider and record the results in the chart below:
Compute the average distance traveled and time a lot for your glider.
Video tape your one of your trial runs on your phone
Make sure you start your glider at the same height each time
Use a stop watch on your phone to record the time in seconds
V= d/t (m/s)
Distance (m)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Your glider averages
Virtual time aloft:___________
Actual time aloft:____________
VELOCITY EQUATION:
v= d
t
Calculate the velocity of your glider. Show your work below:
V = ________________
Remember that the SI unit for velocity is meters per second
Velocity is a quantity that describes both speed and direction.
Time Aloft (s)
Plot your data on the graph and determine if it represents a linear or quadratic function. Explain
your reasoning:___________________________________
Label your x & y axis with appropriate units
Vertical motion formula for when an object is launch or thrown, the formula to model
the height of the object t seconds after it has been launched is
h = -4.9t2 + Vot + ho (in meters)
Launch angle is 450
H=Final height
Vo = Initial velocity(Vi)
ho = initial height
t = time
Calculate the initial velocity of your glider using the vertical motion formula for your
glider being launched.
VO = _________________________
EQUATION FOR ACCELERATION:
Acceleration= final velocity – initial velocity =  v
time
t
Don't forget that the SI unit for acceleration is m/s2
Calculate your glider’s average acceleration below:
Acceleration:___________________ m/sec
Open up your Gliders “Design Specifications” to get your Wing length & Wing Chord” and SNIPE
your “Design Specifications” below and delete the example.
This is an example (use your own Design Specifications)
MASS = Density x Volume
Calculate the Mass of your glider’s wing only
Remember the Density of balsa wood is 0.41g/cm3
Volume= (length)(width)(height)
10 mm = 1 cm
Wing’s length =___________ cm
Wing’s width =____________ cm
Wing’s height= .0167 cm
Wing’s volume=___________cm3
Mass = 0.41 g/cm3 x ________ = __________ grams
Now, convert your grams to kilograms (hint: remember 1 gram = .001 kilogram)
Mass = ______________ kilograms
Weight = Mass x Gravity
Calculate the Weight of your wing
Weight = Mass x gravity (9.8 m/sec2)
Weight = ___________ x __________ = ___________kg ∙ m/sec2 or (N)Newton
Remember a newton is the metric unit for force. One newton is the force require to accelerate a
mass of one kilogram to one meter per sec per sec.
Calculate the lift efficiency of your glider using the Lift Efficiency Ratio
LER = Wing Planar Area (WA)
Glider Weight (GW)
1. Calculate the LER for a rectangular wing with
a span(is the width of the wing and is measured from wing tip to wing tip or perpendicular to the
fuselage) of ___________mm and a chord (is the length of the wing measured parallel or along
the length of the fuselage) of __________ mm
Convert your mm to meters (hint: 1 mm = 0.001 m)
Wing Planar Area (WA) = _____________
1. You can find your glider’s mass on your “Design Specifications”
2. Mass of glider = ___________ grams
Convert to kilograms
3. MASS =____________ grams x .001 = _____________ kilograms
Weight = mass x gravity
Weight of glider = ___________kg x 9.8 m/sec2
Weight of glider = _____________kgm/s2 or Newtons
LER:
Wing Planar Area (WA)
=
_________________
Weight of glider (WG)
BASIC MATH & PHYSICS REVIEW
Momentum Equation
EQUATION:

Momentum = mass x velocity
or
p = mv
The SI unit for mass is kg.

The SI unit for velocity is m/s.

The SI unit for momentum is kg x m/s
Calculate the momentum of your glider
Momentum = mass x velocity (p =mv)_
Momentum = __________ x _________ = __________kg x m/s
Force Equation
The equation for is
force = mass x
acceleration or f = ma




The standard unit for mass is kg.
The standard unit for acceleration is m/s2
The standard unit for force is newton (N)
1N = 1 kg x 1m/s2.
Calculate the force
Force = _______ x_______ =______ Newtons
POTENTIAL & KINETIC ENERGY
PE = Potential energy (Energy stored in an object)
KE= Kinetic energy ( measurement of an object’s
motion)
Energy is work. W=F x d
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy
cannot be created or destroyed it can only be transferred.
PE= KE
KE = 1/2mv2 (Kinetic Energy of the launched glider)
EPE =1/2 kx2 (Elastic Potential Energy of the launcher
k= constant of the stretched rubber band represents (.25)
x= distance rubber band is pulled .35 meters
k =Newton/meter
Calculate the potential energy transferred from the
launcher to the glider using EPE =1/2 kx2 (Elastic
Potential Energy of the launcher) Show your work below:
EPE = 1/2kx2
EPE = _____________
Measures of Central
Tendency:
Purpose is to analyze your gliders performance with your classmates.
Compare your data with your classmates and calculate the class mean,
median, and mode for both distance & time.
Define: Mean:_______________________________________
Median:______________________________________
Mode:________________________________________
What is the mean, median, and mode for distances and time aloft for your
entire class.
Distance
Mean
Median
Mode
Time
Mean
Median
Mode