Bernoulli's Principle and Flight

6th GradeScience50 min

aligned to Ngss Ms-ps2-2

Learning Objective

I can describe how Bernoulli's Principle impacts the flight of objects

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

6 min

How do airplanes actually fly? - Raymond Adkins

TED-Ed

Guided Notes

10 min

Key concepts students will learn:

  • An airplane wing generates lift because the air traveling above the wing moves faster than the air traveling below, creating an area of lower pressure.

  • A common, but incorrect, explanation of lift says that air molecules above and below the wing must meet at the same time, but in reality, the air above reaches the wing's trailing edge much faster.

  • If a wing is too curved or steeply angled, the airflow above may detach and become turbulent, which can reduce lift.

Practice

15 min

12 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Explain how the speed of air moving around a wing affects the pressure, and how this pressure difference creates lift.

Teacher Guide

Get the complete package:

  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts