The Forces of Flight

Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can analyze the forces that enable and affect flight.

Part 1 of 4

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 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    The four forces of flight are lift, weight, drag, and thrust.

  2. 2

    Bernoulli's principle states that faster moving air has a lower air pressure, and slower moving air exerts a higher pressure, which helps generate lift.

  3. 3

    Earth's gravity affects everything at the same rate of 9.81 meters per second squared, but drag can change the rate at which objects fall.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

10 questions

1

Define 'force' as it relates to the context of flight, according to the video.

2

Explain Bernoulli's principle and how it relates to lift.

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Explain how the shape of an airplane wing (airfoil) helps generate lift, according to Bernoulli's principle.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson