The effect of weight on the terminal velocity of a paper helicopter.

The effect of weight on the terminal velocity of a paper helicopter

Aim

To find out if and how the weight (number of paperclips) affects the terminal velocity of a paper helicopter by carrying out a planned experiment.

Introduction

When an object falls in the air, the air resistance opposing its motion increases as its speed rises, so reducing its acceleration. Eventually air resistance acting upwards equals the weight of the object acting downwards. The resultant force on the object is then zero since the two opposing forces balance. The object falls at a constant velocity, called its terminal velocity, whose value depends on the size, shape and weight of the object.

This is just like Newton's laws, an object will accelerate if the forces acting upon it are unbalanced; and further, the amount of acceleration is directly proportional to the amount of net force (unbalanced force) acting upon it. Falling objects initially accelerate (gain speed) because there is no force big enough to balance the downward force of gravity. Yet as an object gains speed, it encounters an increasing amount of upward air resistance force. In fact, objects will continue to accelerate (gain speed) until the air resistance force increases to a large enough value to balance the downward force of gravity.

Objects with high terminal velocity;

At a considerable distance, small dense objects e.g. steel ball bearing would fall at a constant acceleration before air resistance equals its weight.

Objects with a low terminal velocity;

At a comparatively short distance light objects e.g. raindrops or objects with a large surface area would only accelerate at a comparatively short distance before air resistance equals its weight.

Prediction

From the scientific information gathered and shown in my introduction, I can make these predictions;

The more paperclips there are/the bigger the weight of an object - the greater the acceleration will be

This is based on the fact that, the heavier something is, the faster it will fall.

Variables

Weight
Surface Area

Focused Variable

For my experiment I will be focusing on the weight aspect. To do this I will be using paperclips as the added weight. The helicopter and paperclip weights will be noted.

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