Paper airplanes must generate enough lift to oppose the weight. The plane gains lift by moving through the air with the initial velocity that is created by throwing the plane. But, because the plane is flying through the air, it has drag, which is an opposing force like friction on the ground. The paper airplane’s velocity will quickly decrease, due to the drag, and the plane will fall to the floor.

In terms of physic, the airplane is staying afloat because it is trading potential energy for kinetic energy, which equals velocity. As the gliders lose altitude, they convert potential energy into kinetic energy, which keeps the plane in motion. This is an example of the conservation of energy because most of the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and no energy is lost.

Drag is the aerodynamic force that acts against a plane in flight. Drag is generated by every part of the plane. Drag occurs because the airplane is in motion and in contact with the air. Therefore, if there is no motion, then there is no drag. Drag acts in the direction that opposes motion. Drag can be interpreted as friction in the air. One major factor in drag is the skin friction. Skin friction depends upon the surface of the solid (the plane) and the viscosity of the air. Different types of paper for the glider will therefore effect the drag.

It is difficult to determine the Cl though sometimes. For low inclinations, simple flow conditions and simple geometries, the coefficient can be determined mathematically but for the most part it has to be determined experimentally.

The drag also depends upon the shape of the plane. Different shapes will generate varying levels of pressure surrounding the plane. We can find the magnitude of the force by adding up the pressures at different points along the surface of the plane. The points that are where the force that is opposing motion can be determined as the drag, where as the force that is perpendicular to motion will be the lift. There is also wave drag that is associated with flight but not usually in paper ai

Some topics in this essay:
NASA Website, , Newton’s Third, paper airplane, kinetic energy, paper airplanes, plane motion, potential energy, energy kinetic energy, potential energy kinetic, acts plane, drag weight, drag occurs, airplane motion, lift drag,