Para
From Algodoo
Parachuting
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Description: | This lesson discusses what makes parachutists fall at different speeds, with and without parachute. By manipulating the body to different shapes the parachutist can control his falling velocity. Air drag due to the body only is a lot smaller than when after the parachute is open. |
| Target: | Key Stage 3 |
| Category: | Exercise, Laboratory |
| Discipline: | Static forces, Gravity, Motion |
| Learning objectives: |
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| In class: | Draw the problem on the whiteboard and ask the students which one of the balls reaches the end of the track first. Discuss different aspects of what might influence the motion. Collect aspects from the students and list them on the whiteboard (gravity, mass, size, shape, air drag, falling height, etc)
Discuss how this can be visualized and explored in Algodoo. Let the students create scenes in Algodoo using the suggestions you came up with together or let them use their own ideas. Help the students make decisions and ask guiding questions. Encourage the students to follow the procedure Create – Predict – Interact – evaluate. Allow the students to follow-up and share their experiences in class after the simulation. |
Steps in Algodoo
Create a scene
Draw two parachutists or use the camera to take pictures of your friends. Make one of them twice as heavy as the other. Create one plane as ground and one as a shelf from which the parachutists jump.
Make a prediction
Which parachutist will hit the ground first if there is no air drag?
Run/interact
Remove the shelf plane, press Play, and watch the parachutists falling.
Evaluate
Compare the velocities of the two parachutists. How do the shape and mass affect the motion?
Revise scene
Turn on air drag.
Run/interact
Remove the shelf plane, press Play, and watch the parachutists falling.
Make a prediction
With air drag, which parachutist will now hit the ground first?
Evaluate
Compare the velocities. How does air drag affect the motion? What is the influence of mass on the motion?
