Testing our parachutes.

For Inquiry, our theme has been 'How Stuff Works'. We have been researching information and planning to make our own parachutes. Here are few pictures of us testing our parachutes and also some information we found out.

How do Parachutes Work?

A parachute is a device used to slow down an object that is falling towards the ground.

There are two forces acting on the falling person:

1.    Gravity (Upwards)

2.    Air resistance (Downwards)

     

Without a parachute, the gravity is more than air resistance. However, as the parachute opens, the air resistance increases. Now, air resistance is more than gravity.

This slows down the parachute and the person or object can land safely on the ground.

Here are some of the wonderful plans that students put together: