Simple Machines: Helicopter

Experiment Aim

This experiment will help your child to learn about thrust and gravity
 

Equipment You Will Need

Paper
scissors
paperclip or small hair grip

What you need to do

 Copy the template and follow the instructions. Add the paper clip to the bottom

Why this works

It’s all gravity and thrust

What is gravity?

Gravity is a natural force by which all things with mass or energy (including planets, stars, galaxies, and even light) are brought toward one another. On Earth, gravity gives weight to physical objects, and the Moon's gravity causes the ocean tides.

Thrust is a force or a push. When a system pushes or accelerates mass in one direction, there is a thrust (force) just as large in the opposite direction.

What happens?

When you drop your paper helicopter, it is pulled towards to earth by gravity. As it falls, air pushes up against the blades, bending them up just a little. When air pushes upward on the slanted blade, some of that thrust becomes a sideways (horizontal) push.

You can see the same process happening in nature with sycamore tree seeds.

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