Paper Airplane Design and Flight Principles

West Frier introduces a STEM lesson on paper airplanes, focusing on lift, weight, thrust, and drag. The video covers three airplane designs, each with specific folding techniques to enhance flight performance. The lesson emphasizes the engineering design process, symmetry, and the importance of dihedral angles. The video concludes with resources for STEM teachers and an invitation to connect.

What are the four main forces affecting the flight of a paper airplane?

• Gravity, friction, momentum, and inertia

• Pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind

• Speed, height, distance, and time

• Lift, weight, thrust, and drag

What is the initial step in creating the first paper airplane design?

• Adding wings to the design

• Creating a dihedral angle

• Starting with the paper in landscape format

• Folding the paper in half

Why is symmetry important in the second paper airplane design?

• It reduces the need for thrust

• It increases the weight of the plane

• It ensures the plane flies straight

• It makes the plane look more attractive

What is a dihedral angle, and why is it important?

• An angle that helps the plane to dive

• An angle that helps the plane to spin

• An angle that helps the plane to lift

• An angle that helps the plane to glide

What is the benefit of having a dihedral angle in a paper airplane?

• It improves the plane's stability

• It helps the plane to fly in circles

• It reduces the need for thrust

• It makes the plane heavier

What should you do if your paper airplane has too much lift?

• Increase the wing span

• Fold the wings upwards

• Add more weight to the nose

• Reduce the length of the body

What is the purpose of testing and modifying paper airplane designs?

• To make the plane heavier

• To increase the size of the plane

• To improve flight performance

• To make the plane look more colorful

What happens when a paper airplane gains airspeed and then stalls?

• It gains altitude

• It continues to fly straight

• It spins in circles

• It follows a wave pattern

What is the main challenge when creating the third paper airplane design?

• Adding extra weight to the wings

• Creating a dihedral angle

• Folding the paper in landscape format

• Achieving perfect symmetry

Why is thrust important for the third paper airplane design?

• It reduces the need for symmetry

• It makes the plane heavier

• It helps the plane to glide further

• It helps the plane to spin