PURPOSE

Observe some properties of air pressure and aerodynamics as you make and experiment with a Wonderwhirler. 
 

PERFORMING THE EXPERIMENT

1. Cut along all solid lines of the pattern.

 
2. Fold along the dashed lines as indicated on the pattern.  Fold the long folds toward each other to form a "handle."  Fold one blade toward you and the other blade away from you so the whirler looks like a "T." 

 
3. Attach a paper clip to the bottom of the handle, hold it high over your head, and drop it.  Observe what happens as the whirler drops. 

 
4. Experiment with the Wonderwhirler by adding another paper clip or two, or removing the clips, and seeing how the behavior of the Wonderwhirler changes. 

 
5. Experiment with the Wonderwhirler to see if you can make it spin in the opposite direction as it falls.

 
6. Cut the wings of the Wonderwhirler to different lengths and see if the behavior of the Wonderwhirler changes.

 
7.  You may take your Wonderwhirler home.  At home, you can try making a Wonderwhirler using different types of paper and performing the above experiments. 

 

1. What does the Wonderwhirler do as it drops?  Does it always spin in the same direction? 

2. Which edge of the blade is the leading edge in each case as the Wonderwhirler rotates? 

3. Does the speed or direction of rotation change as you add or remove paper clips or make other changes?
 

EXPLANATION

The blades of this paper whirler turn as air pushes on the body of the whirler, while the speed of their rotation is affected by the weight of the whirler.  Air rushes out from under each wing in all directions as the whirler falls.  The air hits against the body of the whirler, causing it to rotate.  Increasing the weight of the whirler by adding paper clips causes it to fall faster, increasing the flow of air against the body of the whirler, thus increasing the rotation speed.  However, when too much weight is added, the whirler is pulled down with such force that the wings are forced upward.  Then the wings are no longer able to provide lift or rotation due to lack of air resistance, and the plane quickly falls to the floor.
 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Wonderwhirler patterns, scissors, paper clips.
 

REFERENCES

Modified from WonderScience, Fun Physical Science Activities for Children and Adults to Do Together, Volume 4, Number 6, October 1990, American Chemical Society/American Institute of Physics, page 5 

Janice Pratt VanCleave, Physics for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments in Motion, Heat, Light, Machines, and Sound, Wiley, New York, NY, 1991, page 148.
 

WONDERWHIRLER PATTERNS

 

Kids Involved Doing Science is at http://www.kids.union.edu

Modified 01/08/2003 by C. & P. Scaife