The Bernoulli Principle
Pupils uncover the secrets of aerodynamics and the fundamental Bernoulli principle. Pupils learn the basics of the Bernoulli principle and its role in creating lift, a concept that's key to both bird flight and human-designed applications like airplanes.
Age Group: 9-12 years
Duration: 15 minutes
Biomimicry Connection:
This activity demonstrates the Bernoulli principle, which is a fundamental concept in aerodynamics and the basis for flight in birds. By showcasing how air moving faster over a curved surface creates less pressure and generates lift, this activity helps pupils understand the basics of the Bernoulli principle and its role in flight. The Bernoulli principle is a key principle applied in human-designed aircraft, inspired by the efficient flight of birds in nature.
Activity Details:
Tools and Materials
- A4 paper
- Textbooks
Description
- Insert an A4 piece of paper into a textbook so that three-quarters of it hangs out and down.
- Blow air out your mouth in a long, smooth flow over the top of the paper.
- What does the paper do? It will move up! Ask pupils why they think this is, and explain the Bernoulli principle (see additional information below).
Additional Information
The Bernoulli principle says that when air moves faster, it creates less pressure, and when air moves slower, it creates more pressure. This means that if you can make air move faster over the top of a curved surface, like the wing of an airplane, it will create less pressure on top of the wing than on the bottom of the wing. This creates an upward force called lift that helps the airplane stay in the air. When you blow over the top of the paper, it lifts up because the faster moving air creates less pressure above the paper than below it. This is the same idea that helps airplanes and birds fly.
Read more here.