Aerospace design engineers use aerodynamics, the science of motion of air and forces acting on bodies in air, to design airplanes that will fly. One of the jobs of an aerospace engineer is to create wing shapes that produce lift as the air moves over the wings. If an airplane is going to fly, the amount of lift must be greater than the force of gravity, and the amount of thrust produced by the engine must be greater than the drag force created by air resistance. Wing shapes that provide lift and have the proper angle of attack (the angle at which a wing meets the flow of air) can then help an airplane overcome gravity. Research has shown that a wing with a streamlined shape can overcome drag with the thrust of engines. The less drag on an airplane, the less power it needs to move.
In this activity you will learn the basic concepts of aerodynamics, including basic definitions, Newton’s laws of motion, and forces acting on an airplane during flight.
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Gateway notebook
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Pencil
Answer the questions below after reading the Science of Flight section under
Research in Whitebox Le arning site and viewing the Newton’s Laws PowerPoint.
Newton’s First Law
1. Read the statement below and explain why you agree or disagree with the statement. Give an example.
An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PLTW Gateway – Flight and Space Activity 4.2.2 WL: Newton’s Laws of Motion – Page 1

Newton’s Second Law
2. Read the statement below and explain why you agree or disagree with the statement. Give an example.
Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass. The greater the mass of the object being accelerated, the greater the amount of force needed to accelerate the object. Therefore, Force = mass x acceleration or F = ma.
3. If the mass remains constant and the force changes, what happens to the acceleration?
4. If the force remains constant and the mass changes, what happens to the acceleration?
5. What effect does resistance have on the acceleration of aircraft? Be sure to discuss both air and friction.
Newton’s Third Law
6. Read the statement below and explain why you agree or disagree with the statement. Give an example.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
© 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PLTW Gateway – Flight and Space Activity 4.2.2 WL: Newton’s Laws of Motion – Page 2