Analysis/ Discussion
The results has proven that the "Dart paper plane" is the most capable in flying the longest distance. Indeed, the form and physique of this aeroplane is very narrow compared to the other models tested which relates back to why this plane is able to fly further than any other model. The "Four Forces of Flight" depicted that drag is a force that slows things down and thrust is the force that push forward an object. Objects that have narrow surfaces have less drag than wide ones. For example, in this experiment, the Dart paper plane has a very narrow surface compared to the Nakamura Lock and Mighty Mite but judging from the results, the Dart paper plane shows a more impressive result for its flight distance. The results supported and confirmed that the hypothesis is correct.
The accuracy and validity of this experiment is adequate but not of a high level. The controlled variables listed are: same standing position and tossing position is maintained throughout the conduction of experiment, same atmospheric environment chosen, and same aeroplane design used for each set of trials. Although these steps were taken during the experiment to allow the results to be accurate, there are some problems that may have affected the accuracy of the experiment. The amount of physical force is not entirely controlled because as a human, forces exerted cannot be controlled. To improve this experiment a mechanical robot or machine of some sort that can be adjusted to have the same force exerting thrust on the paper aeroplanes is needed to ensure accuracy. In addition, the attachment of the cotton string at the rear of the plane can affect its flying distance as it adds a little more weight to the paper aeroplane.
To ensure reliability in the experiment, many trials were conducted. There are four trials for each paper aeroplane design. In order to maintain reliability of the whole experiment, various aeroplane designs have been used to show how each plane experience aerodynamics, how its flying distance is affected by its body structure. The only object that changes in the experiment is the aeroplane design (independent variable) because changing more than one thing alters the experiment to not be fair. To improve reliability, more varieties of plane designs should be used and increase the number of trials conducted to show a wider spread of results.
Conclusion
The hypothesis depicted that the "Dart paper plane" design will fly the longest distance as the narrower the aeroplane model is, the less drag it will experience. The results did support the hypothesis as it has proven that the "Dart paper plane" model (which is the narrowest aeroplane model) has flew the longest distance out of all the other plane designs due to having the highest number of metres travelled. In accordance to the aim, the results showcases the "Dart paper plane" as flying the longest because the narrower the object the less drag it will experience as the more air that propel a surface the more drag it creates. In this case, the “Dart paper plane” does not have much surface area hence, it is able to fly the further than the other aeroplane designs due to less drag.
In the future or present day, this experiment can induce a further application for engineering an aircraft that is sustainable and efficient. By testing a variety of aeroplane models to find their distance range with the same amount of force (thrust) scientist can discover how to build an aircraft that can fly longer with lesser fuel consumption. This is relevant in the community as fuel, derived from oil, is a non-renewable source and once oil is on the brink of running out, companies will have to buy oil from other countries and it may be too expensive to buy.
In the future or present day, this experiment can induce a further application for engineering an aircraft that is sustainable and efficient. By testing a variety of aeroplane models to find their distance range with the same amount of force (thrust) scientist can discover how to build an aircraft that can fly longer with lesser fuel consumption. This is relevant in the community as fuel, derived from oil, is a non-renewable source and once oil is on the brink of running out, companies will have to buy oil from other countries and it may be too expensive to buy.