http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_airplanes/cub_airplanes_lesson03.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, airplanesforces of flightairplane constructionmaterial propertiesweightmassalloyAlloyCeramicsMassMaterial ScienceMatterWeight

The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the relationship between the mass and the weight of an object. Students will study the properties of common materials and why airplanes use specific materials.

One of the most important aspects of aircraft design that an engineer must take into consideration is weight. Every additional part or piece added to an airplane adds weight that makes it harder for the airplane to overcome the force of gravity to fly. So, when engineers design an airplane, they minimize its weight in their choice of parts and materials, while still assuring that it is strong and safe. Understand the difference between weight and mass.Know that weight is one of the four main forces acting on an airplane.Understand why larger airplanes are a challenge for engineers to design.Know the physical properties that are important to material selection in airplanes.Understand that engineers can design new materials to fit their needs. 50TeachEngineering.orgTom RutkowskiAlex ConnerGeoffrey HillMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet YowellNahum, Andrew. Flying Machine. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, 1990.Guyford, Stever H., Haggerty, James J. Flight. Time Inc., New York, 1969.http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/WofMatE/Structure.htmhttp://www.nyu.edu/pages/mathmol/textbook/weightvmass.htmlS11416C8International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyStandard 18. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use transportation technologies. 012S11424E4ColoradoScienceb. Use the particle model of matter to illustrate characteristics of different substances 66S11424ECColoradoSciencea. Explain that the mass of an object does not change, but its weight changes based on the gravitational forces acting upon it 66United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-08-236Teacher