Helicopter Lab Introduction: Controlled experiments, the process of changing one variable to determine its impact on the item being measured, are the standard for most scientific research. Paper helicopters have a simple design with only 4 possible variables, the rotor length, the leg length, the leg width and whether or not you add weight (a paper clip) to the leg. Your task is to conduct a controlled experiment to design the best possible helicopter (following the basic design I have provided). Hypothesis: Procedures: 1. Cut a rectangle that is 5cm wide by 17 cm long. 2. Make a 7.5 cm line down the middle of the paper (this will mark your rotors) 3. Draw a line across the paper at the 7.5 cm mark, measure down another 2cm and draw another line. 4. Measure in 1.5cm from both sides and draw a vertical line (this will become the legs) 5. Make a small cut along the 1.5cm horizontal mark on both sides (do not cut all the way across) 6. Fold Leg A and Leg C into the center. 7. Cut rotors along dotted lines to the 7.5cm mark. 8. Fold Rotor A and Rotor B in opposite directions 9. Drop helicopter from a height of 2 meters 10. Record amount of time it 2 3 4 5 6 7
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Helicopter Lab
Introduction: Controlled experiments, the process of changing one variable to determine its impact on the item being measured, are the standard for most scientific research. Paper helicopters have a simple design with only 4 possible variables, the rotor length, the leg length, the leg width and whether or not you add weight (a paper clip) to the leg. Your task is to conduct a controlled experiment to design the best possible helicopter (following the basic design I have provided).
Hypothesis:
Procedures:
2
3
4
5
6
7
1. Cut a rectangle that is 5cm wide by 17 cm long.
2. Make a 7.5 cm line down the middle of the paper (this will mark your rotors)
3. Draw a line across the paper at the 7.5 cm mark, measure down another 2cm and draw another line.
4. Measure in 1.5cm from both sides and draw a vertical line (this will become the legs)
5. Make a small cut along the 1.5cm horizontal mark on both sides (do not cut all the way across)
6. Fold Leg A and Leg C into the center.
7. Cut rotors along dotted lines to the 7.5cm mark.
8. Fold Rotor A and Rotor B in opposite directions
9. Drop helicopter from a height of 2 meters
10. Record amount of time it takes to hit the floor
11. Choose one variable to change, measure out another rectangle (at whatever dimensions you need) and test again.
***Pro Tip: Make all measurements and marks before you begin cutting***
Data:
Graph: Create a bar graph to show your results. Remember, every graph needs a title, labels and units on the X and Y axes, should be appropriately scaled, and should have neatly drawn line or bars.
Helicopter
Rotor Length
Leg Length
Leg Width
Paperclip
Time
1
7.5cm
7.5cm
2cm
no
2
3
4
5
6
Analysis:
1. What were the dimensions of the helicopter that lasted in the air the longest?
2. Which aspects of this experiment were the constants?
3. Identify the independent variable:
4. Identify the dependent variable:
5. Explain how this activity was a controlled experiment.
Conclusion:
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