Unseen Forces Test Copters

Segment 3
Unseen Forces Test Copters
Bugs O’Copter
Purpose
Procedure
LEARN
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FUN!
Objective
ToTo
practice
controlling
variables
to determine
rate of descent.
practice
controlling
variables
to determine
rate of
decent.
Procedure
1. 1.
You
willwill
need
3 Test
Copters.
To makeTo
themake
Copters
ready
to fly,
You
need
4 Bugs
O’Copters.
Bugs
ready
to cut
thefly,
patterns
(p. 2-3)(p.
along
lines
and lines
fold along
lines.
33)solid
along
solid
and dotted
fold along
cut pattern
Fold
flap Alines.
backwards,
flapABbackwards,
forward, flapflap
C backward,
andflap
flap D
dotted
Fold flap
B forward,
forward.
C backward, and flap D forward.
Label
your
Bugs 1,
1, 2,
2,and
3, and
2. 2.
Label
your
Copters
3. 4.
MATERIALS
Per Group
Materials
scissors
3 Copters (p. 2-3)
scissors
paper
clips (for weights)
4 Bugs
O’Copters
stopwatch
paper clips (for weights)
meter stick
stopwatch
Per Student
meter
stick journal
science
science journal
3. Set stopwatch to zero. Note: You will start the stopwatch
3. Set stopwatch to zero. Note: You will start the stopwatch when your
when your partner lets go of Bugs and stop the stopwatch
partner lets go of the Copter and stop the stopwatch when their Copter
when Bugs hits the ground.
hits the ground.
4. Working with your partner, hold Bugs #1 1.5 m (150 cm)
DEOXYS
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4. Working
withfloor
yourand
partner,
Copter
1.5 mtimes
(150 cm)
from the floor
from the
drophold
while
your #1
partner
its descent.
and
drop
while
your
partner
times
its
descent.
See
diagram
1.
See diagram 1.
Record
time
yourchat
science
journal.
5. 5.
Create
your
ownindata
and record
time in your science journal.
6. To determine the average rate of descent, repeat Steps 4-5
6. To determine the average rate of descent, repeat Steps 4-5 for two
for two more trials and average your data.
more trials and average your data.
7. Calculate the rate of descent by using the formula R = d/t
7. Calculate
rate of divided
descent by
by time)
using the
d/t sci(Rate =the
distance
andformula
recordRin=your
(Rate
=
distance
divided
by
time)
and
record
in
your
science
journal.
ence journal.
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=
avg. rate of descent
÷
distance (150 cm)
time (# seconds)
Bugs##2,2,change
changea avariable
variable
bending
or folding
a por-of
8. 8.
OnOn
Copter
byby
bending
or folding
a portion
tion
of
each
ear
and
repeat
steps
3-7.
each blade and repeat steps 3-7.
9. Change the variable of distance by decreasing the height
9. Change the variable of distance by decreasing the height from the floor
from the floor to 1 m (100 cm) and repeat steps 3-7 for
to 1 m (100 cm) and repeat steps 3-7 for Copter #1 and #2.
Bugs #1 and #2.
Diagram 1
10.
Add
1-31-3
paper
clipsclips
to Copter
#3 #3
andand
repeat
stepssteps
3-7. 3-7.
10.
Add
paper
to Bugs
repeat
11.
Determine
a variable
of choice
your choice
to change
andsteps
repeat
11.
Determine
a variable
of your
to change
and repeat
3-7 on
steps
3-7Copters.
on Bugs #4.
one
of the
12. Create a graph showing the rate of descent for each variable
tested.
12. Create a graph showing the rate of descent for each variable tested.
ConclusionConclusion
1. Did all Bugs drop the same? Why or why not?
What
were the
that
changed
1. 2.
Did
all Copters
dropvariables
the same?
Whyyou
or why
not? in each experi-
ment?
3. Why is it important to keep all other variables constant dur3. Why
it important
to keep all other variables constant during an
ingisan
experiment?
experiment?
4.
Calculate the average speed for all the Bugs.
Compare
Bugsspeed
O’Copter
leaves, animals, or
4. 5.
Calculate
theyour
average
for allwith
of theother
Copters.
seeds in nature.
2. What were the variables that you changed in each experiment?
Extension
5. Compare your Copter with leaves, animals, or seeds in nature.
1. To determine the number of rotations the Bugs O’Copter
makes as it descends, (1) tape a piece of cassette ribbon
Extensions
cm) tothe
the
bottom
of Bugs, the
(2) Copter
stand on
the loose
end
1. To(100
determine
number
of rotations
makes
as it descends,
the aribbon
and
pull Bugs
up(100
so that
no twists
in
(1)oftape
piece of
cassette
ribbon
cm) there
to the are
bottom
of a Copter,
ribbon,
(3)end
drop
Bugs
as usual.
Count
the number
(2)the
stand
on theand
loose
of the
ribbon
and pull
the Copter
up so that
of twists
the ribbon
to determine
of rotations.
there
are nointwists
in the ribbon,
and (3) the
dropnumber
the Copter
as usual.
Diagram 2
Varythe
thenumber
height.ofSee
diagram
Count
twists
in the 2.
ribbon to determine the number of rotations.
Vary the height. See diagram 2.
48 2000-2001 Series: The Case of the Challenging Flight
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1
LEARN
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FUnseen
UN!
Forces Test Copters
2. After the Copter is dropped, construct a bar graph that shows the relationship between the height and
the number of twists.
DEOXYS
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3. Experiment with various weights of paper and graph the results.
4. Have students determine relationships between the weight, height of launch, shape, and the length of
the “blades.”
5. Have students determine if the “blades” turn in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
6. Compare the flight of the Copters to that of a maple seed or dandelion.
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Explanation
Your Copter spiraled down, demonstrating its natural gliding flight that is similar to the leaves, petals,
and seeds in nature. It changed speed and maybe even direction when you changed the variables. As
you observe nature, you will see that no two species of leaves, petals, or seeds are exactly the same.
Nature has changed the variables so they all have their own unique characteristics that suit them best
for their environment. When conducting flight research, scientists observe the characteristics of objects
in nature and how they glide. Scientists will sometimes try to duplicate their observations and then
change variables to determine what would work best for a glider, plane, or space shuttle.
Pattern
2
2
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FUnseen
UN!
Forces Test Copters
Patterns
DEOXYS
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Learn the real science behind the fun of the Pokémon Trading Card Game: EX Unseen Forces
3
3