You will need:
- A big plastic bag
- String or thread
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Cellotape
- Any small object/Toy to act as the jumper
Everything on the Earth is bound by gravity.
And a parachute is no exception. So, why not try
making a parachute at home? It’s really simple.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Take a plastic bag, and cut it into a large round shape.
- Divide the bag into 6 equal parts by ruler and make a whole in each part at the bottom, as shown in the diagram.
- Take a long piece of string and cut it into 6 equal length pieces of ½ metre each.
- Tie the strings to the holes made in the plastic bag and attach the other end securely to the object you are going to drop.
- Note that the object should not be very heavy; an action figure or small toy will do.
- Take your parachute and jumper and drop it from a great height to the ground.
RESULT
The speed at which the parachute lands is greatly reduced. This is because, as the toy falls, the parachute attached to it opens up and the large surface area of the plastic bag fills up with air. While the gravitational force pulls the parachute and the toy downwards, the air pressure collecting in the parachute pushes the parachute; and thus also the toy, upwards. The earth’s gravitational pull is stronger than the air pressure; that is why the toy object still falls towards the ground, but at a slower pace.
