Air Resistance

Key Stage 2

Air Resistance is a force that slows objects down when they are moving through the air.

Noun: Air Resistance

Air Resistance can only happen to an object surrounded by air. It does not happen to objects underwater or in space.

The amount of air resistance depends on:

Size and Air Resistance

The van is smaller than the truck, so it feels less air resistance.	The truck is bigger than the van, so it feels more air resistance.

Shape and Air Resistance

The scrunched up paper has a lot of air resistance and will slow down quickly when you throw it.	The paper plane is streamlined so it does not have much air resistance and will keep going fast once you've thrown it.

Speed and Air Resistance

A spitfire can travel at a speed of 160 metres per second.	A jet fighter can travel 6 times faster that a spitfire so it feels a lot more air resistance.

Air Resistance and Weight

Time how long it takes a single Cupcake case to fall from the ground from 1.5 metres high.

Repeat this for two, three, four and five cupcake cases stacked together.

This changes the weight without changing the shape of the object.

If the difference is too small for meaningful results try 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cases.

Plot the results on a Scatter Graph (not a line graph or bar chart).

Air Resistance and Shape

Cut several different shaped parachutes from bin liners.

Ensure that the surface area of all shapes is the same. This can support math skills calculating area of shapes.

Use string to attach the parachutes to the same piece of plastacine each time.

Plot the results on a Bar Chart (not a line graph or scatter graph).

Air Resistance and Size

Cut several different size parachutes from bin liners.

Ensure that the surface area of each parachute increases by the same amount each time. This can support math skills calculating area of shapes.

Use string to attach the parachutes to the same piece of plastacine each time.

Plot the results on a Scatter Graph (not a line graph or bar chart).