Question: What effect does air resistance have on a falling object?
In this investigation, you will:
1.
Measure the time that it takes a paper helicopter to fall a certain distance.
2.
Determine what factors affect the air resistance of a falling object.
In a previous lab you found that objects fall due to gravity at the same rate, regardless of their mass. In other words, the acceleration due to gravity didn’t depend on the mass of the object. All objects fall down at the same rate of 9.8 m/s 2 . In this investigation, you will study how falling objects are affected by the force of air resistance.
You will construct several paper helicopters, each with slightly different properties. You will measure the time it takes the paper helicopter to fall a certain distance. The time measurement will allow you to determine what factors affect air resistance on a falling object. You will study four different factors; wing length, wing width, mass of the helicopter, and the number of holes in the wing.
Procedure: (You will work in pairs)
1.
Construct your first helicopter, using one of the templates.
2.
Using a stopwatch, measure the time that it takes for the helicopter to fall from the prescribed height.
3.
Record your data in the appropriate table. Repeat until you have done five trials.
4.
Change the variable as directed.
5.
Repeat for 4 wing lengths, 4 wing widths, 4 helicopter weights, and 4 holes in the wings.
Data tables:
Four different helicopter weights
Number of weights Flight 1 Flight 2 Flight 3 Flight 4 Average time
Number of holes Flight 1
Four different number of wing holes
Flight 2 Flight 3 Flight 4 Average time

Wing length Flight 1 Flight 2
Four different wing lengths
Flight 3 Flight 4
Wing width Flight 1 Flight 2
Four different wing widths
Flight 3 Flight 4
Analysis
1.
Describe the relationship that exists between: a.
the number of weights and duration of flight. b.
the number of wing holes and duration of flight c.
the wing length and duration of flight. d.
wing width and duration of flight.
2.
What number of weights provided the greatest air resistance?
3.
What number of wing holes provided the greatest air resistance?
4.
Which wing length provided the greatest air resistance?
5.
Which wing width provided the greatest air resistance?
Average time
Average time