After flying the Cyclone, you'll
understand how a plane's propeller works. A propeller is like
a spinning wing. On an airplane, air moves faster over the front
of the propeller blade, lowering air pressure and creating thrust.
The thrust created by the propeller pulls the plane forward just
as lift created by a wing pushes the plane upward.
For a printable version of this project, click
here.
Materials
• a cereal box
• straw
• thumb tack
• paper clip
• scissors
• tape
Instructions
1. Trace propeller pattern onto the cereal box
and cut it out. 2. Poke two holes in the centre of the propeller
with the thumb tack.
3. Unbend the paper clip (as shown) and poke it
through the holes in the propeller.
4. Push the paper clip all the way down into the
straw. 5. Tape the straw firmly to the propeller. 6. Hold the straw between your flat hands. 7. Spin the Cyclone up into the air by rolling
it off your hands.
A
Step Further
Try experimenting with different
propeller shapes. What happens if you add a second propeller to
the Cyclone? Try bending your propeller blades at different angles.
