While flying kites you may have seen tails behind them. Have you ever wondered what the purpose of this tail in the kites? In this experiment, we will find the effect of the tail of a kite.
Things Required:
1 sheet of notebook paper
Scissors
String
Ruler
Cellophane tape
Directions:
Cut a 2-inch × 12-inch (5 cm × 30 cm) strip from the sheet of paper. Use tape to attach an 18-inch (45 cm) length of string to one end of the strip. Hold the free end of the string and whip the paper back and forth in front of you.
Cut a 1/4-inch × 12-inch (0.5 cm × 30 cm) strip from the paper and attach it with tape to the free end of the wider strip. Again, move the strip back and forth in front of you.
This Is What Happens:
The paper twirls around, but when the small strip is attached the movement is smoother.
Science Behind It:
The paper moves forward at an angle, causing the air to flow faster over the top side. Fast-moving air has a lower pressure around the moving stream. Thus, more uplift is exerted on the bottom of the strip. The angle of the paper is not constant, causing changes in the pressure along with a turbulent air flow across the strip. These changes make the strip twist and rotate. The paper tail makes the angle more constant. Therefore, there is a smoother flow of air across the paper and less twisting.
