Forces of Flight
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Objective
I can explain how lift, weight, thrust, and drag affect an airplane's speed and direction. Examine the four forces of flight: weight, lift, drag, and thrust.
Part 1 of 3
Warm-up video
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum · 5:03Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 3
Practice
7 questions
Define the four forces of flight (lift, weight, thrust, and drag) in your own words.
Explain how the shape of an airplane wing (airfoil) helps to generate lift. Use the concept of air pressure in your explanation.
Part 3 of 3
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“An airplane is flying at a constant altitude and its thrust is increased. Explain how this change in thrust will affect the airplane's speed, and describe how the other forces (lift, weight, and drag) will adjust or be affected. An airplane is preparing to land and the pilot deploys flaps, which increases drag. Explain how this increase in drag will affect the airplane's speed, and describe how the other forces (lift, weight, and thrust) will adjust or be affected. An airplane is climbing to a higher altitude. Explain how the force of lift must change relative to the force of weight for the airplane to climb, and describe how the other forces (thrust and drag) will adjust or be affected.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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