What physics concepts can improve my mini-project design?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mini-project design challenge where participants must create a device using limited materials that can stay in the air for at least 8 seconds when dropped from a height of 9 feet. The project involves concepts of physics, particularly related to gravity and air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants share their attempts with various designs, such as a pinwheel and a paper helicopter, noting the duration of time their designs remained airborne. Questions about the effectiveness of different shapes and balancing techniques are raised.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered design suggestions and modifications, while others are exploring the underlying physics concepts that could explain the performance of their devices. There is an ongoing inquiry into how to articulate the physics principles involved in the project.

Contextual Notes

Participants are constrained by the materials provided, including a sheet of paper, paper clips, masking tape, and bungee string. There is also a mention of attachments that have not been approved, which may limit the sharing of design ideas.

ballahboy
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Our teacher supplied us with one 8.5x11 sheet of paper, 2 paper clips and 12in of masking tape. What we have to do is put this stuff together and release it from about 9 feet above the ground. I has to stay in the air for 8 seconds or more and land inside a box on the floor (which means it should fall straight down). I've tried a few things but couldn't get the paper to stay in the air for more than 4 seconds. Any suggestions is appreciate. Thanks

Edit: I forgot.. we also get to use about 6 inches of bungee string
 
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ballahboy said:
Our teacher supplied us with one 8.5x11 sheet of paper, 2 paper clips and 12in of masking tape. What we have to do is put this stuff together and release it from about 9 feet above the ground. I has to stay in the air for 8 seconds or more and land inside a box on the floor (which means it should fall straight down). I've tried a few things but couldn't get the paper to stay in the air for more than 4 seconds. Any suggestions is appreciate. Thanks

Edit: I forgot.. we also get to use about 6 inches of bungee string

You might try a pinwheel.
 
OlderDan said:
You might try a pinwheel.
Yeah i tried the paper helicopter thing but that only lasted me a little over 3 seconds
 
Okay, Here's an Idea.

In attachment 1, fold along the dotted lines and cut along the solid lines. The grey area shaped like a star is the one you need. the rest, you can throw away.

once you fold the lines, you should end up with something that looks like attachment 2. then, fold the bottom corners and you should end up with the second part of attachment 2. that will catch air, making it slower.

put tape where the light blue rectangles are in attachment 2. then put paperclips to balance the figure.
 
thanks but is it just me or are the attachments not working?
 
they haven't been approved yet
 
Thanks for the suggestions. How can I explain the physics behind this?
 
behind what?
 
The physics involved in this experiment.. I've started with talking about gravity and air resistance. Is there anything else i can add to this?
 

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