Wind Tube


Source Institutions


Add to list Go to activity
In this activity, learners explore moving air and the physics of lift and drag by constructing homemade wind tunnels. Use this activity to illustrate Newton's Second Law of Motion (F=ma) and to demonstrate how things heavier than air (like airplanes) are able to fly. Note: a drill and other specialty tools are required for this activity, but are not included in the cost of materials. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide


Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes

Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours

Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students

Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11

Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model

Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)


  • 1 large piece of wood (8"x8")
  • 1 medium piece of wood
  • 1 long clear plastic tube (or make one with transparent paper and tape)
  • 4 wooden legs
  • 1 motor
  • 1 plastic propeller, or plastic bottle and glue stick to make propeller
  • 2 9V batteries (to run motor)
  • 2 9V battery snaps
  • 2 9V battery holders (optional)
  • 1 switch (optional)
  • 1 small plastic tube or canister (optional)
  • electrical wire
  • 1 roll of duct tape
  • piece of cardboard
  • 1 screen with fairly large holes
  • glue gun
  • wood planer
  • chisel
  • saw
  • ruler
  • pencil
  • sandpaper
  • T-square (optional)
  • hole saw
  • vice or clamp
  • nail
  • hand saw
  • materials to put in tube (i.e. scrunched up paper, balls)

Subjects


  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Atmosphere
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Aerospace Engineering
      • Transportation Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Energy and Power
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Acceleration
      • Newton's Laws
    • States of Matter
      • Gases
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories


  • Toys
  • Transportation

Audience


To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other


Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Fresno Community Science Workshop

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Fresno Community Science Workshop, 2013

Related Video