Home | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Extension | Teacher Notes
Introduction
Since 1903 when the Wright Brothers performed their fist flight, engineers have
been trying to improve flight characteristics to create a better aircraft.
Task
You have been assigned the position as Manager of Flight Engineering for
NASA and the United States Airforce. NASA has been experimenting with
Airfoil Wing designs, new types of Shuttle designs, and Air Defense Rocketry.
Your mission is to research new aircraft designs, but first you must understand
flight characteristics of aircrafts and rockets.
Process
Research the Science of Flight Characteristics of airplanes and rockets.
Forces that affect Aircrafts:
- Lift
- Drag
- Thrust
- Gravity
Forces that affect Rockets:
- Relative Wind
- Lift
- Drag
- Thrust
- Gravity
Flight Terms:
- Stability
- Center of Gravity Pressure
- Aerodynamics
- Bernoulli's Principle
- Guidance Systems
Bernoulli's Principle
Bernoulli's Principle and Airplane Aerodynamics
Wings
How an airplane wing works
Aerospace Education Projects
http://www.aoe.vt.edu/~mason/Mason/ACinfoH.html
Flight School
FlightSchool
Space Vehicles
Space Vehicles - Vehicle Designs
Bernoulli's Principle
Atmospheric Transportation
Centennial of Flight
NASA Quest > Centennial of Flight
NASA Glenn Research Center
Aerodynamics General Information
Key Elements:
The faster an object moves, the greater the drag.
The rougher the surface, the greater the drag.
Longer nose cones on rockets help minimize air flow.
If the velocity of an object doubles, the amount of drag is four times as great.
A high thrust engine (faster speed) will cause a rocket more drag.
Evaluation
Create a presentation for the following criteria using PowerPoint:
Describe how Forces affect Flight.
Describe Bernoulli's Principle.
Describe Aerodynamics of Flight.
Create a graphical demonstration.
Conclusion
The science of flight technology has changed drastically over the past 100 years.
Understanding how aircrafts and rocket systems work help us to understand how to
overcome forces that affect flight which will allow us to design new systems
with less resistance to forces.
Extension
What are the opportunities of flight technology do we have to look forward to in
the future?
Where are most aircraft systems tested in United States?
Where are most rocket systems tested in United States?
Teacher Notes
Supports Arizona State Standards