GLIDER WORKSHEET       Name: _________________ Date: ________________

1. How do you think a bird flies?

2. Why do you think the flat paper floats when you drop it?

3. Record the definitions as we discuss them before watching the video or after viewing the video.

Flight Mechanics –

Lift –

Thrust –

Drag –

Weight –

Thermal updraft –

Angle of attack –

4. What are the 4 forces important in flight mechanics? ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ .

5. Gliders are silent because_______________________________________

6. What force does the weight of the glider affect? ____________________ .

7. Is it true that gliders use gravity and air for power? _______________________ If not, what do they use?______________________________________________

8. What is the function of the fins on the back of a glider? ______________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

9. Describe the shape of a glider’s wing. ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

10. Why must a glider be light?____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

11. What are 2 materials used to build gliders? ________________ ______________.

12. Why are these good materials to use? ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

13. What provides power to take a glider into the air? _____________________.

14. After watching the video answer the first 2 questions again using your new knowledge. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

15. Explain why you would or would not like to fly a glider. ________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Idaho Public Television
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