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LET’S GO FLY A KITE!
RESEARCH DESIGN
Wed 5/26 Research Day
Look through a couple of websites and decide on the type of kite that you would
like to construct from materials at your house. Listed below are some websites
that have some different designs along with detailed instructions and materials.
http://www.origami-resource-center.com/kite-shop.html Summary: This kite design looks
like it would work well because it uses common materials; they would be easy to find or replace.
I’m not sure how well the paper would work, though. It seems like a pretty flimsy material that
might break under stress. The directions are clear, concise, and easy to follow, so there is little
chance of someone not understanding how to make it.
http://www.tutorials.com/04/0479/0479.asp
This site gives us a few examples on two different kite models. Model one shows us a simple
kite made of paper and straw. Model two is another simple kite, but more durable.
http://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-make-a-kite.html
A variety of homemade kites can be found on this site. There are 3 different models: a dowel,
two-skewer, and one-skewer. There are at least 8 different types for each model.
http://www.howtomakeandflykites.com/make-your-own-style-of-kite/make-your-own-style-ofkite.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_1288_make-kite.html how describes another way to make a kite at
home. This procedure lists a bit more materials, but all are things that you can find home. The
materials are as follows; 2 dowel rods, a ruler or meter stick, a utility knife, strong sting,
construction paper, glue, scissors, and ribbons or strips of cloth.
http://www.stormthecastle.com/how-to-make-a/kite/make-a-traditional-kite.htm
This website list materials and procedure, almost similar to the previous ones. It lists a plastic
bag, one long stick 33in long and on 36in long, masking tape, scissors, string, 2’’ strips of
ribbon, and small saw for notching the wood. This site makes a traditional diamond kite just like
the others.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-diamond-kite/
http://www.squidoo.com/pyramidkite
http://www.my-best-kite.com/make-a-delta-kite.html
Delta Kite
This kite is definitely one of the more interesting looking kites because
of its slick design. It has many advantages because when made it will be very easy to fly
because of the wing span. It will unfortunately however be difficult to make. It will require
more materials.
http://www.my-best-kite.com/make-a-sled-kite.html
Sled Kite
The sled kite is actually one of the cooler designs of kites. It looks cool
when flown and is easy to fly. I is a 3-D kite so wind will flow all throughout it. very
difficult to built.
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa032898.htm
http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html This kite design is a simple diamond shape. It uses simple materials such as strong paper, two
sticks for the framing of the kite, glue or tape to put these materials together, and twine for the
string of the kite. The website also includes the names of the different parts of the kite, such as
spine, bridle, spar, tail, flying line, and reel.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4485321_make-kite-out-plastic-bag.html This website uses simple household materials, such as plastic bags, strings, two large sticks,
and ribbon. There are no pictures, but we assume the design is similar to the first as a diamond
shape. Instead of using glue or tape to put these materials together, the website suggests tying
everything together.
http://www.stormthecastle.com/how-to-make-a/kite/make-a-traditional-kite.htm
This website shows how to make a traditional kite. It is quite easy to make and is predicted to
take half an hour to make. It only takes a few such as scissors, masking tape, string, plastic
bag or newspaper. Also, some materials can be improvised if needed. This website also
includes a tutorial video further explaining its kite making techniques.
http://www.tutorials.com/04/0479/0479.asp
This website gives a variety of designs that one can use. It also involves the use of simple
materials and gives choices such as, “The Classic Scott Sled Kite” and “The Paper and Straw
Kite.” In addition, it gives you step by step directions.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/shortk.html
This is the Kite index for all the physics you need to know about flying a kite. Brought to you by
the cool dudes and dudettes at NASA
Http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kiteprog.html
This site is an interactive kite modeler which allows you to manipulate the variables and see if
the kite design will work.
CONSTRUCTION DAY
Thursday May 27
Bring all necessary materials to begin building your kite.
FLY TIME & FLY DESIGN
June 1 or June 2
All kites must be ready to fly and in the classroom on June 1. If the weather does not
cooperate, we will be flying the kites on June 2.
Each group needs to bring a sketch design along with measurements of their kite,
materials used and website references.
After the kite has flown, analyze how your kite has flown. Did it work? Did you observe
other kite designs and/or materials which would improve your kite design? What would
you like to change?
RECONSTRUCTION/IMPROVEMENT/PHYSICS RESEARCH
June 3 and June 4
Using your original design, make some modifications to your kite to make it fly better.
Include a new diagram and new measurements. Be specific with what changes you
made and how you made them.
Research the physics of how kites work. Write a summary of exactly how they work
and be sure to include diagrams of your kite and how it works. Information about
aerodynamics, Bernoulli’s principle and Newton’s 3rd law should all be included. Please
be sure to include references.
Here are some websites to help you.
http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/fly.html- A kite flies because it has a lifting force produced
by deflecting air downward which results in a momentum from an upward force. The air over
the kite is moving much faster than below the kite. There is more pressure under the kite which
helps force it upward.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kiteaero.html - Kites fly because there are forces
acting on each part of the kite, and the shape of the kite doesn’t matter because the force will
always be the same. The forces act on a center of pressure which force the kite upward.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kitefor.html
http://www.discoverthis.com/article-kites.html - The dynamics necessary for a kite to fly are
balancing forces of lift, drag, weight, and the tension in the string of the kite.
http://thephysicsofkites.homestead.com/General_Information.html
How Kites Work
1. They produce a force that compensates for gravity
2. That force is called lift
3. Kites overcome the force of gravity by the force of wind/wind pressure on the kite
4. When kites react to the pressure/wind the lift pushed onto the wind is forced into an
upward motion
5. This reaction opposes the pull of gravity on the kite
http://www.discoverthis.com/article-kites.
Kites can illustrate any number of scientific concepts, including Newton’s laws of motion,
Bernoulli's Theorem, and many other physics fundamentals. Studying all kinds of esoteric things
about where the center of gravity is and how the forces offset from the center of gravity create
a pitching moment. This site gives a brief synopsis of the how a kite works.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kitefly.html
To launch a kite you have to create a lift force which is greater than the weight of the kite. The
most important way to create lift is to get a fast velocity of the air going by the kite. The
important factor for generating lift is the relative velocity between the air and the kite. The best
way to get a strong velocity is to stand with your back to the wind. On windy days, this velocity
plus a small tug on the line is usually enough velocity to lift the kite into the air. As the kite rises
during launch you can stand still and the kite will fly just fine. This occurs because the velocity
of the wind normally increases as we increase altitude. The change in velocity from the surface
of the earth to some altitude is caused by the boundary layer of the atmosphere. Once the kite has
been launched, it will fly at an altitude where all the factors are in good moderation. Increased
velocity increases the lift, which causes the kite to climb. If the wind velocity is even slightly
higher at the new altitude, the kite remains at that altitude. Letting out line initially causes the
kite to drop slightly due to the increased weight of the line. But pulling on the line can move the
kite back up to a higher altitude.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/bgk.html
Flying a kite relies on the motion of the wind past the kite to generate the aerodynamic lift
necessary to overcome the weight of the kite. The movement of the air past the kite also
generates aerodynamic drag which is overcome by constraining the kite with a string or line. The
interaction of these things determines the overall performance which is different for every kite.
The tail is added to help have more control over the flight of the kite and better help the kite stay
stable while in flight.
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-kite-flying.html
The kite must first create a lift greater than its weight. Once in the air the main string is dispersed
on even points among the kite. The tail adds stability and depending on the structure it helps the
kite fly better or worse. In order to keep the kite up it must have a constant velocity factor
pushing up on the kite.
The wind exerts a force upward on the kite due the impact of air molecules being deflected
downwards. Newton's third law causes a resultant force upward opposite to the recoiling air
molecules.
Static equilibrium is established with the force of gravity downward, the tension on the string
and the force of the wind upward due to the impact of air molecules and Newton's third law.
Stability of a kite can be shown.
http://pirt.asu.edu/detail_10.asp?ID=1979
The physics of how a kite gains lift is very similar to how an airplane gains lift. The wings
generate lift force by the action of the moving air over the wing surface. A kite works in the
same way. The wind blows in the direction of the kite and somewhat underneath it. This creates
lift.
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-kite-flying.html
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kitefly.html
REFLY DATE
June 7 or June 8
Summaries, redesign pictures and kites are due June 7.
KITE RUBRIC FOR SENIORS
Topic
Criteria
Your Points
Work Days
Each person
working
Diagram &
◊Neatly drawn
measurements diagram
& Analysis
◊measurements
and materials
used
◊How did your
Kite fly? What
improvements?
Kite design
Creative? Neat?
Ability to fly?
Does it fly at
least 7 feet
high? Does it fly
for 15 seconds?
Points
Possible
10 points
10 points
5 points
10 points
TOTAL POINTS __________/35 points
**EC to group with most creative Design
**Ec to group with Longest flight!
KITE RUBRIC FOR JUNIORS
Topic
Criteria
Work Days
Each person
working
Diagram &
◊Neatly drawn
measurements diagram
& Analysis
◊measurements
and materials
used
◊How did your
Kite fly? What
improvements?
Kite design Day Creative? Neat?
1
Ability to fly
Does it fly at
Day 1
least 7 feet
high?
Summary of
Physics
Reconstruction Does it fly
Ability
higher than it
Your Points
Points
Possible
15 points
10 points
5 points
10 points
10 points
10 points
did? Does it
fly better?
Does it fly
longer?
Reconstruction
Design &
measurements
5 points
TOTAL POINTS
**EC TO MOST CREATIVE DESIGN
**EC TO LONGEST FLIGHT TIME
**EC TO MOST IMPROVED FLIGHT
____________/65 points