Wind and Wings

Subjects

• Science

Grades

• K-2
• 3-5
• 6-8

Brief Description

Students participate in simple hands-on activities that demonstrate Daniel Bernoulli's principle of air pressure and air flight.

Objectives

Students

• learn about Daniel Bernoulli
• learn general information about Bernoulli's principle
• participate in simple experiments that show Bernoulli's principle.

Keywords

airplane, winds, wings, Bernoulli's principle, flight, glider, air pressure, aerodynamics

Materials Needed: model airplane, chalk, chalkboard
See the sites noted in the lesson for the specific materials needed in each activity.

Lesson Plan

• Show students a model airplane. Ask students how they think an airplane's wings help it fly.
• Introduce general background information about Daniel Bernoulli from Daniel Bernoulli.
• Tell students that Bernoulli was a Swiss scientist who made a discovery about air pressure that is now called Bernoulli's Principle.
• Explain that according to Bernoulli's principle, airplane wings are shaped so that air flows faster over the top surface than over the bottom.
• Have students participate in one or more of the following experiments that show Bernoulli's principle.

  How Does an Airplane Fly?
  Bernoulli's Principle of Pressure
  Bernoulli's Principle and Winged Flight

Variations:

• Idea 1: Organize students into small groups to complete one or more of the experiments.
• Idea 2: For younger students: Briefly explain very general information about Bernoulli's principle. Complete one of the above experiments as a class.

Assessment

Evaluate students' participation in the experiments.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis

National Standards

Science:
  NS.K-4.1
  NS.K-4.2