An Investigation of factors affecting the flight of a paper spinner
Introduction
When a paper spinner is dropped, it spins. The direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, depends on which way the wings are folded. It happens because the air lifts the spinner, as air resistance opposes its movement. It's done the same way on an aeroplane. The plane moves on the runway and speeds up so much that the wings 'slice' through the air. Air pressure is high underneath, but low above, so the plane is lifted up. The way the plane is lifted up depends on how the shutters are positioned.
The spinner will drop at the start, but when the air resistance force is great enough, the air resistance will push the wings, which eventually makes it spin.
Introduction
When a paper spinner is dropped, it spins. The direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, depends on which way the wings are folded. It happens because the air lifts the spinner, as air resistance opposes its movement. It's done the same way on an aeroplane. The plane moves on the runway and speeds up so much that the wings 'slice' through the air. Air pressure is high underneath, but low above, so the plane is lifted up. The way the plane is lifted up depends on how the shutters are positioned.
The spinner will drop at the start, but when the air resistance force is great enough, the air resistance will push the wings, which eventually makes it spin.