FALLING SHAPESBY LUCA GURGULINO

PROBLEM STATEMENT

What effect does the shape of a parachute have on the time it takes to reach the ground from a given point?

HYPOTHOESIS

If the parachute is a circular formatted shape, then the parachute will take longer to reach the ground than parachutes made with square, triangular or rectangular shapes.

VARIABLE• Independent variable

-the shape of the parachute

• Dependent variable-time taken to reach the ground

• Control variable-same materials-height of release-size of parachute-the weight at the bottom of the parachute-location of drop

MATERIALS

Four plastic bags from super market One small plastic action figure A spool of yarn Ruler One pair of scissors Step ladder Timer Measuring tape

PROCEDURES

1. Cut a square from the plastic bag measuring 16 cm x 16 cm

2. Cut a triangle with a base of 16 cm and a height 32 cm from the plastic bag

3. Cut a rectangle from the plastic bag measuring 32 cm x by 8 cm

4. Cut a circle with a diameter of 18 cm from the plastic bag

5. Cut 1 cm slits on each corner of the shapes (square, rectangle, and triangle)

6. Cut 1 cm slits at four points (end of diameter) on the circle

PROCEDURE7. Cut 15 pieces of yarn measuring 16 cm

8. Tie one string in each slit of the parachutes

9. Measure and mark the height of 3.5 meters 10. Attach action figure to the square parachute

11. Release parachute from marked point and start timer

12. Record time taken to reach the ground

13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 two more times

14. Record time taken to reach the ground

15. De attach action figure from square parachute and attach it to triangular parachute.

PROCEDURE

16. Repeat 11 and 12 on triangular shaped parachute

17.De attach action figure from triangle parachute attach it to rectangular parachute

18.Repeat 11 and 12 on rectangular shaped parachute

19. De attach action figure from parachute attach it to the circular parachute

20. Repeat 11 and 12 on circular shaped parachute

21. De attach action figure from circular shaped parachute

22. Write all data into data table.

DATA

SHAPE TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3 AVERAGE

CIRCLE 2.76 1.28 2.10 2.04

SQUARE 2.19 1.43 1.28 1.63

RECTANGLE 1.46 1.06 0.84 1.12

TRIANGLE 1.01 1.86 2.65 1.84

TIME TAKEN TO REACH THE GROUND (IN SECONDS)

Circular

Square

Rectangular

Triangular

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Time Taken to Reach the Ground

Trial 3Trial 2Trial 1

Time in seconds

Shap

e of

Par

achu

te

DATA

RESULTS

From the data, it was observed that the circular shaped parachute had the greatest amount of air time. On the other hand, the rectangular shaped parachute had the least amount of air time. The data shows that the times the different shaped parachutes took to reach the ground averaged between 1.00 and 3.00 seconds. The average for the circular parachute was 2.04 sec. , the square took 1.63 sec. , the rectangular shaped parachute took 1.12 sec. , and the triangular one took 1.84 sec.. The range in time was a difference of 0.92 sec.. Although the hypothesis was supported by the data, the validity of this data may have been effected by the unexpected variables such as wind and height of release. It is obvious from the data that the independent variable did have a slight effect on the dependent variable.

CONCLUSION

This experiment tested whether the shape of a parachute effected the time it took to reach the ground. From the data, it was observed that the circular shaped parachute had the greatest amount of air time and the rectangular shaped parachute had the least amount of air time. The average for the circular parachute was 2.04 sec. , the square took 1.63 sec. , the rectangular shaped parachute took 1.12 sec. , and the triangular one took 1.84 sec.. The range in time was a difference of 0.92 sec.. Although the hypothesis was supported by the data, the validity of this data may have been effected by the unexpected variables such as wind and height of release. According to other experiments done, the circular shaped parachute has the greater air time. This is due to the bubble the circular shaped parachute forms creating a greater drag.

CONCLUSION cont.To improve this experiment, the area of release would require more control. Perhaps conducting the experiment in doors and having a contraption release the parachute would limit the outside variables. Additionally, the material used for the parachute could also be replaced with a thicker material. If this experiment were to be conducted again, it is recommended to use a larger surface area when creating the different shaped parachutes. It would be interesting to know if the size would result in different outcomes.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether different shaped parachutes of the same surface area would affect the amount of time it took to reach the ground. To conduct the experiment different shapes (rectangle, square, triangle, and circle) with a surface area of 256 cm sq. were cut from a plastic bag. After attaching the parachute to a controlled amount of mass, the parachute was released from a controlled height and its airtime was recorded. Although some of the results may have been inaccurate due to the unforeseen wind, the data indicated that the circular shaped parachute had the greatest amount of airtime. It also demonstrated that the rectangular parachute had the least airtime.

ABSTRACT CONT.

The average airtime among all shapes was between 1 and 3 seconds. At the beginning of the experiment it was hypothesized that the circular parachute would take the longest time to reach the ground. This hypothesis was proven to be correct. In the future it is recommended that this experiment.

APPLICATION

This experiment can be very beneficial for paragliders, air force men, parasailors, and anyone working in the parachute industry. This data demonstrates that circular shaped parachutes are more effective gliding through the air. If airtime is what they need, the circular shape is the best to use. However, if trying to parasail, a rectangular shape would be more beneficial because it can create a greater drag and keeps the parasailor in the air longer.

BIBILIOGRAPHY

• “How Does Shape of a Parachute Affect Its Performance?" How Does Shape of a Parachute Affect Its Performance? 2 Sept. 2004. Web. 2 Oct. 2014.

• Koonts, Robin. "Parachutes, Gravity and Air Resistance - KIDS DISCOVER." KIDS DISCOVER. 7 Aug. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.

• Woodford, Chris. "Parachutes." How Parachutes Work. 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.