Grade by Grade
D. Structures and Mechanisms · Flight

Flight: Unit Review

A1.1 A1.2 A1.3 A1.4 A1.5 A2.1 A2.2 A3.1 A3.2 A3.3 D1 D1.1 D2.1 D2.2 D2.3 D2.4 D2.5About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can describe properties of air and how flight uses them.
  • I can explain the four forces of flight, how wings make lift, and how balanced and unbalanced forces control flight.
  • I can describe ways to change the forces and the adaptations that let living things fly.
  • I can assess the impacts of aviation on society and the environment, and use the design process to build a glider.

Words to know

lift
The upward force made by air moving past a wing.
thrust
The force that pushes a flying object forward.
drag
Air pushing back against a moving object.
balanced forces
Equal, opposite forces: the motion does not change.
adaptation
A feature or behaviour that helps a living thing survive.

Let's review!

In this unit you explored the properties of air, met the four forces of flight, found out how wings make lift (and busted the equal transit time myth), learned how balanced and unbalanced forces control flight, discovered ways to change the forces, studied nature's flyers, assessed the impacts of aviation on society and the environment, and designed your own glider. This review has a few questions from every lesson. Try each one, then press Show answer to check.

lift > weightit risesweight > liftit sinksthrust > dragit speeds updrag > thrustit slows down
Quick review: when a pair of forces is unbalanced, the motion changes in the direction of the bigger force.

Air Is Real Stuff: Properties of Air and How Flight Uses Them

1

Name three properties of air.

2

Why does a hot-air balloon rise?

3

Which property of air does a parachute use?

4

Is air pressure higher or lower high in the sky?

The Four Forces of Flight

1

Name the four forces and the direction of each.

2

In steady, level flight, how do the forces compare?

3

A plane flies to the left. Which way does the drag arrow point?

How Wings Make Lift

1

How does a wing make lift?

2

True or false: the air over a wing must meet the air from underneath at the back edge.

3

What is a stall?

4

Give two things that increase lift.

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces: Controlling Flight

1

A hummingbird hovers. Balanced or unbalanced?

2

Which control surface rolls a plane?

3

How does a bird slow down to land?

Changing the Four Forces of Flight

1

Give one way to reduce drag.

2

Why does a plane get lighter during a flight?

3

Find the average of 4 m, 5 m and 9 m.

Nature's Flyers: Adaptations for Flight

1

Name the three groups of animals with powered flight.

2

Give one bird adaptation for flight and the force it helps.

3

Does a northern flying squirrel fly or glide?

BirdPlanefeathered wingsLIFTwingsflapping musclesTHRUSTengineshollow bones, beakLESS WEIGHTlight materialsstreamlined bodyLESS DRAGstreamlined shape
Birds and planes solve the same four-force problems. Each row matches a bird adaptation with the plane feature that does the same job.

Aviation and Society: Impacts Near and Far

1

Give one positive and one negative impact of aviation on fly-in communities.

2

Name one use of drones and one concern about them.

3

Name one aviation job that is a skilled trade.

Flying Machines and the Environment

1

Which greenhouse gas comes from burning jet fuel?

2

Give one way flying machines help the environment.

3

How does less weight help a plane pollute less?

Design Challenge: Build a Better Glider

1

What is the difference between criteria and constraints?

2

A glider dives nose-first. What could you change?

3

Why change only one thing between tests?

Just for fun

Riddle: What goes up but never comes down?

Your age! (A glider always comes back down, because it has no thrust to keep it going.)

How to use this review

  1. Try every question before you look at the answer.
  2. Put a check mark beside the ones you got right and a star beside the ones you missed.
  3. For every star, go back to that lesson (the titles above match the lessons) and redo its More practice questions.
  4. Then take the quiz below. Read every choice before you pick one.
Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Why does a hot-air balloon rise?

2.

Which force pushes a plane forward?

3.

How does a wing make lift?

4.

A plane cruises at a steady speed and height. Its forces are:

5.

Which control surface tips the nose up or down?

6.

Which change reduces drag?

7.

Which animal is a mammal that can truly fly?

8.

Which is a global impact of aviation?

9.

Which helps the environment?

10.

In a glider test, what is the average of 300 cm, 360 cm and 330 cm?

For parents and teachers

Use this review to find what needs more practice.

  • Mixes up the properties of air or how a hot-air balloon or parachute works: revisit Air Is Real Stuff.
  • Draws force arrows the wrong way, or thinks balanced means stopped: revisit The Four Forces of Flight.
  • Explains lift with "the air has to meet up at the back" (equal transit time myth): revisit How Wings Make Lift.
  • Confuses ailerons, elevator and rudder, or can't say balanced/unbalanced for takeoff, cruising and landing: revisit Balanced and Unbalanced Forces: Controlling Flight.
  • Can't name ways to change a force, or changes two things in a test: revisit Changing the Four Forces of Flight.
  • Mixes up gliding and powered flight, or can't link an adaptation to a force: revisit Nature's Flyers.
  • Gives one-sided answers about aviation and people: revisit Aviation and Society.
  • Unsure about greenhouse gases, contrails or ways to reduce harm: revisit Flying Machines and the Environment.
  • Has trouble with averages or the design process: revisit Design Challenge: Build a Better Glider.

Celebrate what your child knows well, and keep reviews short and friendly.