Aerodynamics

1. Aerodynamics Mrs. DeForge

2. How Air and Gases Move - Aerodynamics As air moves around an object (like an airplane wing) it tries to force the the object to move. The study of how air pushes and pulls on objects is called aerodynamics. These forces are in operation with airplanes, sailboats, cars, and other objects moving quickly through the air. Aerodynamics helps us understand how to fly much better.

3. Animals That Fly Some animals appear to fly, but they are really gliding. The very first bird, who lived during the time of the dinosaurs, 135,000,000 years ago, could not fly. Scientists think his wings and feathers were used like parachutes when jumped from the tree tops. The first creatures to fly were insects, long before dinosaurs even lived. Insects have either two or four wings that move very fast when they fly. Insects can move forward, stay in one place (hover) like a helicopter, or even fly backwards. Insects live everywhere in the world.

4. Birds Birds are the best fliers. Everything in their body is just right for flying. They are lightweight. Feathers make their bodies smooth, so they can go through the air easily. They eat the right foods to give them lots of energy. They have good eyes to see far away. Birds live everywhere in the world.