The Physics of Flight
What every student should know to get the most from the Aerospace Engineering Curriculum
Physics Lesson Plan
• • • • • • • Purpose: Students have basic prerequisites Lecture-discussion on principles Student problem-solving exercises Problem-solution discussion in class Use Mini-demonstrations. Quiz at the end of the week Note: spend as much time as indicated
Basic Physics Principles
• • • • • • Forces Speed Acceleration Work Energy Torque
Newton’s Laws
• First Law
• An object at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line will remain at rest or in the same uniform motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Newtons’ Laws
• Second Law
• The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the total unbalanced force exerted on the object, and is inversely proportional to the mass of the object. The acceleration of an object moves in the same direction as the total force.
Newton’s Laws
• Third Law
• If one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on the object.
Force
A push or pull that causes a change in shape or a change in motion of an object. Measured in pounds (lb) in English units and newtons (N) in SI (International System of Measurement) units.
Speed-Velocity
Insert this duplicate slide and notes for each principle
Acceleration
Objects that are changing their speed or their direction are said to be accelerating. The rate at which the speed or direction changes is referred to as acceleration.
Work
Energy
Torque
Student Activities
• Individual (team) • Research or design an experiment or demonstration to illustrate one Newton’s Laws or a physics of flight principle • Interactive worksheet • Class • Create a walk-around series of demonstrations • Each student or team rotate among all the exhibits to see all main principles