Helicopters

Helicopters

Big Idea: Rotor Blades, spinning, in air, force of gravity, weights

Focus Questions:

How does the force of gravity affect the flight of the helicopter?

Hypothesis/Prediction: 

The more weights on the paper (blade), the quicker it will fall to the ground. We know this because of gravity. If we do not put any weights on the blade then it will take the longest amount of time to fall because it is lightest. I believe the more weights that we put on the blade, the quicker it will spin. The fewer weights on the blade, the fewer spins.

Materials:

Paper

Gym Clips (used as weights)

Planning:

First, we will hold the blade above out head and drop it using no weights. We will observe and record if how fast it falls and if it spins fast. Next, we will add weight to it and observe and record the same. We will then add more weights and do the same. Lastly, we will apply force to the rotor blade by almost throwing it down. We will do this with and without weights.

Data:

Rotor blade with no weights	Falls slow and does not spin much
Rotor blade with one weight	Falls quicker and spins more
Rotor blade with three weights	Falls fastest and spins the most
Rotor blade with no weights – force applied	Falls fast and spins at a medium speed
Rotor blade with one weight – force applied	Falls fast and spins at a slow speed
Rotor blade with three weights – force applied	Falls fast and spins at a very slow speed

Claims and Evidence:

We noticed that when no force was applied to the rotor blade and no weights were added then the slower it would fall to the ground and the fewer spins it would have. As we added weight to the rotor blade, it began to fall quicker because it was heavier and it spun more (the more weight). However, when we applied force, the rotor blade with weights spun at a slow speed and basically just fell to the ground. Therefore, we conclude that when there is no force applied to the rotor blade, the rotor blade will fall the fastest and have the most spins

Conclusions/Reflections:

Therefore, we conclude that when there is no force applied to the rotor blade, the rotor blade will fall the fastest and have the most spins. Likewise, when force is applied, the rotor blade with weights falls faster then the rotor blade without weights and the rotor blade with weights do not spin as fast as the rotor blade without weights. We believe this is true because the rotor blade with weights is heavier and gravity is pulling it down. I wonder if we placed the weights in different places on the rotor blade, if our results would still be the same. I would think that the weight distribution does matter. I wonder if the size of the rotor blade matters. I would conclude that helicopters must be very balanced and the weight must also be distributed equally.