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 and the competing design solutions.

Concepts

drag, airplanes, aerodynamics

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Challenge class members to design paper airplanes and compete to see which will go the longest distance

Classroom Considerations

• Requires prior knowledge of air as a fluid
• Preview any comments that might appear when you show the video as not all are acceptable in the classroom

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Includes closed captioning in Arabic, English, and German
• Provides a list of sources for those wishing to learn more

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4