LessonGrades 5 - 7
May the Force Be with You: Drag
Forces on an aircraft.
Students learn about the drag force on airplanes and are introduced to the concept of conservation of energy and how it relates to drag. They learn the difference between friction drag, form drag and induced drag, and how thrust is involved. They explore the relationship between drag and the shape, speed and size of objects.
When designing airplanes, engineers keep in mind the force of drag and the principle of energy conservation. Since drag slows down airplanes and makes them less efficient (requiring more fuel), engineers aim to design planes that reduce drag. Minimizing the amount of drag acting on aircraft often involves modifying the wing and/or fuselage shapes.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain that drag is one of the four main forces acting on airplanes.
- Describe how the shape, area and speed of an object affects drag.
- Identify which of the four forces of flight opposes the force of drag (thrust).
- Explain why understanding drag is important to engineers who design airplanes.