Calculating Force of Drag on Paper Helicopters

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force of drag for paper helicopters in a physics lab setting. The user seeks to determine the coefficient of drag by utilizing the mass of the helicopter, the time taken to fall a specific distance, and the cross-sectional area calculated as π * length². The conversation highlights the need for clarity on whether to consider the rotors or the entire helicopter when calculating drag force.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly forces and motion.
  • Familiarity with the drag equation and its components.
  • Knowledge of how to calculate cross-sectional area for cylindrical shapes.
  • Experience with experimental methods in physics labs.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the drag equation: F_d = 0.5 * C_d * ρ * A * v².
  • Learn how to determine the coefficient of drag (C_d) for various shapes.
  • Investigate the impact of wing length on drag force in paper helicopters.
  • Explore methods for measuring the time of descent accurately in free-fall experiments.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators conducting experiments, and anyone interested in aerodynamics and the principles of drag force in flight dynamics.

DarkBlitz
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hello!
i'm doing a physics lab paper helicopters and changing the length of their wings.
i was wondering if i could find the coefficient of drag for each helicopter.
i have the mass of the helicopter, the time it takes to fall a certain distance and I'm assuming that the cross sectional area will be pi*length^2
however, I'm having a bit of trouble determining the force of drag, i am not sure at all how to go about it :S
how do you calculate the force of drag? thanks
 
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Are you talking about the rotors or the helicopter itself?
 

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