C683 Lab Report: Exploring Bernoulli's Principle with Paper Experiment
Demonstrating Bernoulli's Principle Using a Paper Experiment
Sophia Case
C683
Section I: Introduction and Literature Review
Bernoulli’s principle is a concept in physics that explains how an “Increase in the
speed of a parcel of fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in either the
pressure or the height above a datum” (Clancy,1975). Bernoulli’s principle was
named after the physicist Daniel Bernoulli and has been applied in many real-world
scenarios, such as helping airplanes fly.
According to Carla Zembal-Saul, airplane wings use Bernoulli’s principle so air flows
“Farther and faster over the top of the wing (greater curvature), creating lower
pressure above the wing, which results in lift.”. Essentially, the difference between
air pressure on either side of the wing is caused by the curve of the wing, altering
the speed of airflow, which creates an upward force that helps the plane fly.
Section II: Hypothesis
If the speed of airflow over a curved sheet of paper increases, then the paper will lift
higher due to a decrease in pressure on the surface. This is how real-life airplanes
use Bernoulli’s principle to generate lift with their wings, as the curved shape alters
the airflow speeds, thus decreasing the pressure above the wing. (Zembal-Saul,
2007)
Section III: Method
Independent Variable: The speed of airflow over the paper. This will be
manipulated by varying the settings on a fan.
Dependent Variable: The amount the paper lifts. This will be measured in
centimeters by the distance the opposite edge of the paper rises when air is blown
over it.
Confounding Variable: One potential confounding variable is the curve of the
paper. To control this, one edge (the one closest to the fan) will be taped to the
table, while the other half is draped over the edge of the table.
Materials:
• A sheet of paper
• A ruler for measuring lift in centimeters
• Tape
• A table
C683 Lab Report: Exploring Bernoulli's Principle with Paper Experiment
Demonstrating Bernoulli's Principle Using a Paper Experiment
Sophia Case
C683
Section I: Introduction and Literature Review
Bernoulli’s principle is a concept in physics that explains how an “Increase in the
speed of a parcel of fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in either the
pressure or the height above a datum” (Clancy,1975). Bernoulli’s principle was
named after the physicist Daniel Bernoulli and has been applied in many real-world
scenarios, such as helping airplanes fly.
According to Carla Zembal-Saul, airplane wings use Bernoulli’s principle so air flows
“Farther and faster over the top of the wing (greater curvature), creating lower
pressure above the wing, which results in lift.”. Essentially, the difference between
air pressure on either side of the wing is caused by the curve of the wing, altering
the speed of airflow, which creates an upward force that helps the plane fly.
Section II: Hypothesis
If the speed of airflow over a curved sheet of paper increases, then the paper will lift
higher due to a decrease in pressure on the surface. This is how real-life airplanes
use Bernoulli’s principle to generate lift with their wings, as the curved shape alters
the airflow speeds, thus decreasing the pressure above the wing. (Zembal-Saul,
2007)
Section III: Method
Independent Variable: The speed of airflow over the paper. This will be
manipulated by varying the settings on a fan.
Dependent Variable: The amount the paper lifts. This will be measured in
centimeters by the distance the opposite edge of the paper rises when air is blown
over it.
Confounding Variable: One potential confounding variable is the curve of the
paper. To control this, one edge (the one closest to the fan) will be taped to the
table, while the other half is draped over the edge of the table.
Materials:
• A sheet of paper
• A ruler for measuring lift in centimeters
• Tape
• A table
C683 Lab Report: Exploring Bernoulli's Principle with Paper Experiment
