Flight Synapse Page TWO_Key 5: Propellers
Key #5: Propellers
Instructions - Continue work on flight synapse page TWO, adding key #5: Propeller. Also complete the hands-on activities include in the lesson presentation.
IMAGINE…you are walking along a sidewalk and as you approach the tunnel under the leaves of a massive tree you see something falling. Only instead of falling straight down like a ball, this object spins and spins. And the spinning seems to carry the object far away. You run over and pick one of these objects of the ground and toss it into the air. The spinning starts again. You try again but its difficult to through the object high into the air.
What are you playing with, and what observations might a scientist make of this phenomena?
How Maple seeds spin and float effectively - Design Idea for wind blade
• ENGS102P - How Maple seeds spin and float ...
Make a Maple Seed - Follow the video above
Leonardo Da Vinci observed flight mechanics in nature. He studied birds and attempted to create human-powered flight machines modeled on birds. However, upon seeing a maple seed falling what might Da Vinci have thought about? Perhaps he would have imagined using the shape of the maple seed to create a machine that could generate lift!
Leonardo Da Vinci’s “aerial screw” -
• Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machines
The aerial screw is among the earliest versions of a propeller.
Propeller - is a device that transforms rotational power (torque) into linear thrust by acting upon a fluid such as water or air.
Make a propeller - complete second activity in video above
In Da Vinci’s day the materials available to work with prevented the creation of a working human-powered flying machine. However today engineers get to build using space age materials…
• Human-Powered Helicopter: Straight Up Diff...
Human-Powered Helicopter: Straight Up Difficult | SKUNK BEAR
Now imagine having the understanding of propeller dynamics, then being able create a flying machine using modern day building materials powered by fuel powered engines and motors. What would you get?
Helicopter - a helicopter is an aircraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by spinning rotors. The blades of a helicopter are long, narrow airfoils with a high aspect ratio, a shape that minimizes drag from tip vortices (see the wings of a glider for comparison). They generally contain a degree of washout that reduces the lift generated at the tips, where the airflow is fastest and vortex generation would be a significant problem. Rotor blades are made out of various materials, including aluminium, composite structure, and steel or titanium, with abrasion shields along the leading edge.
How does a Helicopter fly ? - • How does a Helicopter fly?
History of Helicopters : Helicopter Invention Documentary Film “History of propeller”
• Video
The AH-64 Apache Helicopter Shows Monstrous Power & Capability
• Video
Propellers use the flight principles previously discussed, Lift, Drag, Thrust, and Design, to participate in the creation of high-powered flying machines.
Mr. Reynolds
Post pictures of your completed maple seed and propeller into the discussion post for this lesson.
Key Vocabulary
Propeller - is a device that transforms rotational power (torque) into linear thrust by acting upon a fluid such as water or air.
Helicopter - a helicopter is an aircraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by spinning rotors.
Torque - is defined as a twisting force that tends to cause rotation. We call the point where the object rotates the axis of rotation.