Curated Video
Flight Principles Explained: Airplane Wings
This video explains how airplane wings work by utilizing the shape and positioning of the wing to generate lift. The fast-moving air over the curved wing creates lower pressure, allowing the air below the wing to push it upward, lifting...
Bridgeman Arts
The Living City, 1970, part 20 - City of London Schools for boys and girls, City University London, study of ultrasonics and aerodynamics, surgery at St Bartholomew's Hospital
Clip from 1970 film focussing on the history of the City of London - the Square Mile - its economic growth, institutions, administration, buildings and future. The film illustrates the major part taken by local government in the physical...
Veritasium
How To Curve A Baseball Or Swing A Cricket Ball
Throwing a curve ball can make or break a sporting game, but what is the scientific process for throwing this way? The video explains the Magnus force, aerodynamics, and the axis of rotation, and relates the science to both baseball and...
MinutePhysics
The Tacoma Narrows Fallacy
Prove your textbook wrong! A detailed video lesson debunks a traditional explanation for the collapse of a bridge in Tacoma in the 1940s. The narrator outlines why resonance is not the culprit and explains the concept of...
SciShow
What are Those Things on Airplanes' Wings?
Why do airplane wings curve up at the ends? Here's a video that introduces viewers to winglets, the curved ends of airplane wings. It begins with an introduction to how airplane wings give both lift and drag then explains the vortex...
SciShow
Why Do Boomerangs Come Back?
Humans have been using boomerangs for at least 20,000 years. The video looks at the structure and use of the boomerang to analyze the aerodynamics involved. It stresses the importance to torque and the difficulty in throwing them...
TED-Ed
The Sonic Boom Problem
Sound waves travel pretty quickly, but humans can travel faster. Follow along with this short animated video as it investigates the physics behind the breaking of the sound barrier and the sonic booms that are...
National Science Foundation
Science of NFL Football: Geometric Shapes
Ever wonder why a football has such an unsual shape? Find out with this video from the Science of Football colelction that examines how the geometric properties of a football make it perfectly suited for being thrown accurately over...
National Science Foundation
Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Engineering Faster and Safer Bobsleds
While your physical science class is studying mechanics, this would be a fabulous enrichment video for covering aerodynamics or friction. Mechanical engineers dedicate their time to developing Olympic-quality bobsleds to be as fast, but...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Blossoms: Kite Flying: Fun, Art and Science
This lesson presents the basics of aerodynamics by using kite flying as an example, i.e., forces acting on a flying object. [39:36]
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Blossoms: The Physics of Racing Cars
This video lesson discusses how a few simple physics concepts can help in understanding various factors that influence the performance of racing cars. Students will also learn how these same concepts influence the design and development...
Science for Kids
Science Kids: How to Videos: Make a Paper Airplane
A video giving a step-by-step instructions on how to make a paer airplane using only a sheet of paper and a ruler. [2:07]
Science for Kids
Science Kids: Engineering Videos: Flight Aerodynamics
Learn about lift, thrust, drag, weight, airfoil, air pressure, Bernoulli's principle to understand flight aerodynamics. [7:14]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Grip
Success in auto racing depends on the grip of a car's tires. Grip is the frictional force that holds the tires on the track. Aerodynamic features of a car also improve a car's grip. [5:02]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Speed: Drag & Drafting
Engine power is constrained at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, so teams use aerodynamics to gain an advantage. Teams adjust their cars to minimize drag, but then it's up to the drivers to find 'the draft' and to trust the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Physics: The Forces on an Airplane
How do airplanes fly? It's not magic. Learn about the forces that help (and hinder) airplane flight.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Kites
Compare and contrast different kites while watching kids use the scientific method to learn how a kite's shape affects its performance. [8:55]
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Wind Tunnel
Discover how researchers use wind tunnels to test automobiles and airplanes. Watch kids use the scientific method to find out which vehicle shape is the most aerodynamic. [6:06]
PBS
Pbs Teachers:model Airplanes
Explore how the wings of an airplane create lift and affect maneuverability. Watch two kids use the scientific method to find out how wing shape affects a plane's performance. [9:20]