Learning outcome

Students will describe the principles and dynamics of flight by discussing the Bernoulli effect.

Resources

Thin strip of paper 5 cm wide, length of A4 paper.

Directions

1. Discuss with the class the dynamics of flight including drag, thrust, and lift as the forces employed in flight.
2. Explain the experiment and get the students to hypothesise what will happen to the strip of paper.
3. Place one end of the paper just below your lower lip and blow hard over the top of it.
4. The paper should lift up due to the different pressures created - a higher pressure will be created under the paper, as the air is moving faster over the top of it. These same pressure changes will occur with the wings of both birds and planes because of their shape.

Useful links

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/physics.html

http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal109/NEWHTF/HTF510.HTM