Summary
Phil builds a glider with paper hoops instead of wings to test what shapes can fly. A surprising look at the forces of flight and how air holds up a moving object. ~22 min, free on the official Science Max YouTube channel.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Can hoops fly better than wings? Phil tests an unusual glider to explore the forces of flight.
- What forces are acting on the hoop glider as it flies?
- Why does the shape of the glider matter?
- How is the hoop glider like and unlike a paper airplane?
- What would you change to make it glide farther?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: glider, flight, force, air, shape.
Try it: Tape a small and a large paper hoop to the ends of a straw and throw it. Describe how it flies compared with a paper airplane.