Physics Project Physics Project

Making a parachuteMaking a parachute

ContentContent

1.1. TitleTitle2.2. Materials usedMaterials used3.3. DesignDesign4.4. Application of physics principlesApplication of physics principles5.5. Results of experimentResults of experiment6.6. Conclusion and discussionConclusion and discussion7.7. Comments of group membersComments of group members8.8. Group listGroup list

Materials usedMaterials used

1.1. Ice-cream box*1Ice-cream box*1

2.2. Model wheels*4Model wheels*4

3.3. Tissue roll*1Tissue roll*1

4.4. Sponges*4Sponges*4

5.5. Fishing lines*1 packetFishing lines*1 packet

6.6. Plastic bags*2Plastic bags*2

7.7. Egg*1Egg*1

DesignDesign

Application of physics Application of physics principlesprinciples

We apply the We apply the Newton’s Second Law.Newton’s Second Law. It states that the acceleration of an object is

directly proportional to, and in the same direction as, the net force acting on it, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

As the purpose of this experiment is to make As the purpose of this experiment is to make the parachute falling more slowly, we suggest the parachute falling more slowly, we suggest to use a plastic bag to increase the air to use a plastic bag to increase the air resistance so as to decrease the landing resistance so as to decrease the landing speed.speed.

Application of physics Application of physics principlesprinciples

1.1. At first, the object will accelerate (i.e. velocitAt first, the object will accelerate (i.e. velocity increase).y increase).

2.2. As it gains speed, the fluid friction increases As it gains speed, the fluid friction increases (i.e. air resistance is directly proportional to (i.e. air resistance is directly proportional to velocity).velocity).

3.3. Applying the formular Applying the formular F F ==mama, , FF = = Weight Weight – – Air ResistanceAir Resistance4.4. When weight is equal to air resistance, the neWhen weight is equal to air resistance, the ne

t force is equal to 0 (i.e. t force is equal to 0 (i.e. acceleration acceleration ==00). ).

Application of physics Application of physics principlesprinciples

Results of experimentResults of experiment

Mass of the parachute: 0.1222 kgMass of the parachute: 0.1222 kg

Average time taken: 5.09sAverage time taken: 5.09s

TrialTrial 11stst 22ndnd 33rdrd

Time Time taken/staken/s

5.065.06 5.165.16 5.065.06

Conclusion and discussionConclusion and discussion

After the competition, we find that we After the competition, we find that we should add more plastic bags to increase should add more plastic bags to increase the air resistance so as to reduce the the air resistance so as to reduce the speed of the parachute. In so doing we can speed of the parachute. In so doing we can ensure that the time the parachute took to ensure that the time the parachute took to travel to be longer.travel to be longer.

Besides, we are very happy as the egg Besides, we are very happy as the egg didn’t break during this falling. Also, the didn’t break during this falling. Also, the appearance of this parachute helps to appearance of this parachute helps to improve the performance of the parachute.improve the performance of the parachute.

Comment of group membersComment of group members

Chan Kai Yik 4E (21)Chan Kai Yik 4E (21) This is the first time I make a parachute, and This is the first time I make a parachute, and

it has a lot of fun. This project lets me know it has a lot of fun. This project lets me know more about how air resistance is related to more about how air resistance is related to our daily life. Although, we are not the best in our daily life. Although, we are not the best in this competition, the experience is still very this competition, the experience is still very exciting and fantastic. I think we can do better exciting and fantastic. I think we can do better next time. For example, the appearance and next time. For example, the appearance and the packaging can be improved and the the packaging can be improved and the landing speed of the parachute can be landing speed of the parachute can be reduced.reduced.

Comment of group membersComment of group members

Chu Ming Kin 4E (23)Chu Ming Kin 4E (23) I really learn something from this project, especially I really learn something from this project, especially

the theory about parachute, for instant, the surface the theory about parachute, for instant, the surface of the parachute can be made dome-like, so that it of the parachute can be made dome-like, so that it can increase air resistance. Moreover, my egg did can increase air resistance. Moreover, my egg did not break since the air resistance is large enough to not break since the air resistance is large enough to reduce the landing speed, and the materials reduce the landing speed, and the materials wrapping the egg can protect it. Furthermore, the wrapping the egg can protect it. Furthermore, the time of travel is long enough and the appearance of time of travel is long enough and the appearance of the parachute is fairly good. If we can do one more the parachute is fairly good. If we can do one more time, l will try to increase the surface area of the time, l will try to increase the surface area of the parachute because it has some problem this time. parachute because it has some problem this time. Also, my partners did their job quite well and handed Also, my partners did their job quite well and handed in their product on time.in their product on time.

Comment of group membersComment of group members

Lau Ka Wai 4E (28)Lau Ka Wai 4E (28) At first I thought it is easy to make the At first I thought it is easy to make the

parachute. However when we made the parachute. However when we made the parachute, we want to use some materials parachute, we want to use some materials but it was difficult to get the materials. but it was difficult to get the materials. Also, we waste some money to buy the Also, we waste some money to buy the ice-cream so as to use the container as the ice-cream so as to use the container as the material for the parachute. Furthermore, material for the parachute. Furthermore, we assumed the one that falling faster is we assumed the one that falling faster is the winner and we should be careful next the winner and we should be careful next time. Also, one of our team members is time. Also, one of our team members is good at drawing. So, in the design of the good at drawing. So, in the design of the parachute, it is easy to finish it.parachute, it is easy to finish it.

Comment of group membersComment of group members Li Hok Fung 4E (31)Li Hok Fung 4E (31) When I knew that I had to make a parachute, an idea When I knew that I had to make a parachute, an idea

suddenly came upon my mind. I wanted to use a suddenly came upon my mind. I wanted to use a plastic bag to be the upper part and an ice-cream cup plastic bag to be the upper part and an ice-cream cup to be the container of the egg. Also, I wanted to draw to be the container of the egg. Also, I wanted to draw some pictures on the bag and placed 4 sponges at the some pictures on the bag and placed 4 sponges at the bottom of the cup to reduce impact force. I thought bottom of the cup to reduce impact force. I thought that would work and it might protect the egg. that would work and it might protect the egg.

After I have made this parachute, I tried it as soon as After I have made this parachute, I tried it as soon as possible. Although it could protect the egg, the possible. Although it could protect the egg, the landing velocity of it onto the floor was too high. I landing velocity of it onto the floor was too high. I though lots of methods to improve it, but it didn’t though lots of methods to improve it, but it didn’t work. So, I asked my group members to solve it with work. So, I asked my group members to solve it with me. Finally, although it didn’t reach my expectation, it me. Finally, although it didn’t reach my expectation, it is an unforgettable memory for me. It leads me to the is an unforgettable memory for me. It leads me to the road of active learning. road of active learning.

Comment of group membersComment of group members HowardHoward Ng 4E (36) Ng 4E (36) It is my first time to design a parachute. For the very first stIt is my first time to design a parachute. For the very first st

ep we had already decided to use some light materials, like ep we had already decided to use some light materials, like sponges and ice cream box because we thought that the hesponges and ice cream box because we thought that the heavy materials might increase the weight of the parachute (savy materials might increase the weight of the parachute (since ince F=maF=ma), then it may fall down quickly. However, when o), then it may fall down quickly. However, when our parachute was being tested, the parachute reached the ur parachute was being tested, the parachute reached the ground fast. We were shocked, because we thought that ouground fast. We were shocked, because we thought that our parachute was perfect except the look was ugly. Have a lor parachute was perfect except the look was ugly. Have a look at other group’s parachutes and after having some disok at other group’s parachutes and after having some discussion, we found that our parachute is too small! It is not lcussion, we found that our parachute is too small! It is not large enough to do work against the air resistance. We shouarge enough to do work against the air resistance. We should use a rubbish bag. Luckily, the egg inside the ice cream bld use a rubbish bag. Luckily, the egg inside the ice cream box did not break, because there were many sponges coveriox did not break, because there were many sponges covering the egg. ng the egg.

Overall comments of group Overall comments of group membersmembers

I think this project is good for us. It can help mI think this project is good for us. It can help me to know more about physics and we found te to know more about physics and we found that teamwork is important. We know that the hat teamwork is important. We know that the surface area of the parachute should be large surface area of the parachute should be large enough to increase the air resistance. As we seenough to increase the air resistance. As we seldom have discussions with each other, the paldom have discussions with each other, the parachute made was not perfect. It was not decorachute made was not perfect. It was not decorated well. If we do similar projects next time, rated well. If we do similar projects next time, we may have discussion together first, and cowe may have discussion together first, and consult teachers if there are problems. It is becansult teachers if there are problems. It is because a good plan is important! use a good plan is important!

Group listGroup list

Leader: Chan Kai Yik 4E (21)Leader: Chan Kai Yik 4E (21)Member: Chu Ming Kin 4E (23)Member: Chu Ming Kin 4E (23) Lau Ka Wai 4E (28)Lau Ka Wai 4E (28) Li Hok Fung (31)Li Hok Fung (31) Howard Ng 4E (36)Howard Ng 4E (36)