Science 10 – Paper Planes

February 3, 2022 Rain - Lok Yu

How can we make the plane has a faster speed?

In this Paper Airplanes experiment, we hypothesis if the plane is sharper and skinnier, it would go faster because it would have the easiest to throw. Also, the more air the wings can catch underneath then the faster it will go. During this experiment, we base on the speed and distance of the paper plane (Dependent Variable). We have the same size and same type of white 8*11 paper (Controlled Variables). However, each paper planes has different shape, style, and length (Independent Variable).

Plane A – Sharper, smaller size, skinny, shortest wings

Distance: 17.5 feet

Time: 0.85 seconds

Plane B – Wider, shorter wings, bigger size

Distance: 20.9 feet

Time: 0.87 seconds

Plane C – Biggest size, widest wings, blunt nose

Distance: 42.4 feet

Time: 0.93 seconds

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Resolution

The smallest and the sharpest plane (Plane A) has the shortest distance, the biggest plane (Plane B) has the farthest distance; however, when every plane has the same ending distance as 15 feet, Plane A has a faster speed than Plane B, which the smallest and sharpest plane has the fastest speed. We found that the shape of planes affects the speed and distance. Plane with bigger wings has low induced drag, so it goes slower and farther, because of the resistance, so the plane went smoothly and slowly. Opposite, plane with smaller wings goes faster and has shorter distance because the structure of the plane is light enough, has less resistance. Also, we found that if we curved the wings, the plane can go faster, because when the air touch the plane quickly, the pressure decreases. The less pressure paper plane is, the faster it flies. Our observation is is useful for people to research the resistance of the wind, and for people who would want to make different functions of real plane according to the structure and shape. Different shape and structure of plane can affect how far, how fast, how slow, etc. It was a great experience for me to learn how to do he teamworks with others, I learned the effect resistance through the flying distance and speed of the plane. In the next time, I would do different size of paper for next time.

Self-Assessment_Paper Plane

Science 9 Electric house project

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 Rain - Lok Yu

Introduction of the project

This is an elective house project made by me and my partner. Through our consideration, we decided to make an electric castle which has seven rooms. In our electric castle, there is two flags which represent where we from, there is two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one clothing room, one reading room, and also a living room. We made some mini furniture and stairs with the cardboards. In the circuit design, we use the series circuits on the bathrooms and the reading room, parallel circuits on the clothing room, combination circuit (S+P) on the bedrooms, and we design a circuit with two series circuits and two parallel circuits.

Solution Fluency Reflection Questions

Define: When me and my partner were making the circuits, we found that wires were easily entangled. Errors were likely to occur when we were connecting the wires. Disconnecting the wires caused the light bulbs didn’t light up and could not complete the closed circuit.

Dream: After discovering the problem, we had three solutions to solve the problem.

Colouring – Colouring the wires in different colours can help us easily define the wires, but the wires still look messy.
Sticker – Stickers can completely arrange the wires, but it affects the appearance.
3D print – This is the best way to solve the messy wires. We can use 3D print to make the shape what we want to solve the messy wires. It has a good appearance, and it can perfectly hold the circuits.

Deliver: We decided to 3D print a holder which can hold our circuits. We imagined there is a hole in a shape which can hold and fix the circuits easily. Also, there is two wings in both side of the shape, it can help us to glue on the back of the electric castle that it can stick on it.

Debrief: We did more than four rooms (We did seven rooms), the whole process is mostly successful. And we try our best to design our electric house to become a special castle. In addition, we made some tiny furniture. But I have to improve on making the parallel circuits.

Project Questions

1.) You have three light bulbs. All have the same intensity when lit. Explain how you can prove to a classmate that they are connected in series by unscrewing one light bulb. Support your answer.

I can disconnect one of the wires that connected the light bulbs to prove that they are series. All light bulbs will not light up because it doesn’t complete a close circuit.

2.) You have three light bulbs. All have the same intensity when lit. Explain how you can prove to a classmate that they are connected in parallel by unscrewing one light bulb.

I can take one of the light bulbs off to prove that they are parallel. Other light bulbs will still light up because it completes a close circuit.

3.) You have three light bulbs. Two are connected in parallel. This parallel combination is connected in series with the third light bulb. Describe the relative intensity of each bulb. Support your answer.

The light bulb in series circuit is lighter than the light bulbs in parallel circuit. The two parallel light bulbs are sharing the current, so they have the same value of the current (0.30A). But the series light bulb is not sharing, so it has a higher value of current (0.60A).

4.) In question number three, describe the relative intensities of the two remaining light bulbs, if one of the bulbs in parallel was unscrewed. Support your answer.

If one of the parallel bulbs was unscrewed, it will become series circuit since it becomes to have one path for current flows. They both have the same value of current (0.45A).