design a parachute · parachutes are used in a variety of situations, but all aim to do the same...
TRANSCRIPT
www.rubytuesdaybooks.com/scienceKS2
©
1
Parachutes are used in a variety of situations, but all aim to do the same thing: slow something down. They do this by creating more air resistance.
Parachutes enable skydivers to land on the ground safely.
They can help fast cars slow down.
Design a Parachute
Testing Curiosity’s giant parachute
An illustration of Curiosity landing on Mars
A parachute was even used to safely land the robot rover Curiosity on Mars in 2012.
Each of these parachutes has a similar job, but they are all designed differently. Why do you think that is? What do you think makes each one successful?
Let’s investigate what makes a good parachute!
2
www.rubytuesdaybooks.com/scienceKS2
©
Method 1. Look at the parachutes in the images on page 1. Consider what you know about air
resistance. What makes these parachutes successful? 2. Take a look at your materials. What could be used to make a parachute that safely
lands a yogurt pot carrying a Lego person. What shape would you make your parachute? What materials do you think will work best?
3. Design your parachute. Next, using the materials and other equipment, make your parachute.
4. From a height (possibly from the top of a staircase or from a first floor window) drop your parachute and observe how it falls. Repeat 3 times, adjusting how you drop your parachute to best help it land safely.
Make sure an adult supervises your tests at all times and agrees that your tests are safe.
5. If carrying out this activity with classmates, observe their designs and the success of their parachutes.
Equipment:• A clean, empty yogurt pot• A lego person• Plastic bags of various sizes
(or any other materials you think might be good to make a parachute such as paper or pieces of fabric)
• String• Sticky tape
3
Do
n’t
forg
et
to la
bel a
ll pa
rts
of y
our
de
sign
.
www.rubytuesdaybooks.com/scienceKS2
My
Par
achu
te D
esig
n R
emem
ber
to
co
nsi
der
:• T
he s
hape
of y
our
para
chut
e to
cre
ate
as
muc
h ai
r re
sist
ance
as
poss
ible
• H
ow it
will
be
secu
red
to t
he y
ogur
t po
t• T
he m
ater
ials
tha
t w
ill
be u
sed
• The
rel
ease
of y
our
para
chut
e. H
ow w
ill t
his
affe
ct y
our
desi
gn?
4
www.rubytuesdaybooks.com/scienceKS2
©
Conclusion:
Which parachute in your class was the most successful and why?
What made your parachute successful?
If you were to make another parachute, what would you do differently?
Do you have any additional questions about parachutes and air resistance? How could you investigate this further?