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Wacky Wind Tunnel

Disciplina: Física
Ano escolar: 4.º ano | 5.º ano
Tipo de Recurso:
Tags:

Materials Required:

2 pieces of plastic rain gutter (or alternative materials like cardboard, LEGO bricks, or Hot Wheels track)
Wooden blocks (to prop up the rain gutters)
Fan
Hot Wheels cars or small toy cars
Dry erase marker
Steps Involved:

Set Up the Wind Tunnel:

Align two sections of plastic rain gutter to create a wind tunnel. Use wooden blocks to prop up the first section so that it is level.
Attach the second section to create a ramp for the cars.
Position the Fan:

Align the ramp so that the air from the fan blows directly into the tunnel.
Conduct the First Trial (Fan OFF):

Place a car at the top of the ramp and release it. Mark the spot where the car stops using a dry erase marker.
Repeat this process with different cars to observe varying results.
Conduct the Second Trial (Fan ON):

Turn on the fan to create air resistance. Release the car from the same starting position on the ramp.
Mark where the car stops after encountering air resistance. Compare this distance to the first trial without the fan.
Compare Results:

Discuss the difference in distances traveled with and without air resistance. Explain that the fan created air resistance, which slowed down the car.
Discuss Air Resistance:

Explain that air resistance is a form of friction that occurs when an object moves through the air. The force of air resistance acts in the opposite direction of the object’s motion, slowing it down.
Discuss how different car shapes in real life, like boxy vans versus low-profile sports cars, experience different levels of air resistance.
Repeat the Experiment:

Wipe off the dry erase marks and repeat the experiment with other cars or in different configurations to further explore the effects of air resistance.
Note Limitations:

Acknowledge that variations in car performance could be due to factors like wheel alignment and mass differences, making it harder to isolate the effects of air resistance. However, emphasize the fun and surprising aspects of the experiment.

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