Make a "Whirlybird" from Paper

Abstract

Have you ever seen a maple seed twirling as it falls through the air? In this project you will build something that behaves similarly called a whirlybird. Will your whirlybird be able to stay in the air as you add paper clips as weights? Try this project to find out!

Summary

Areas of Science

Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics

Difficulty

Method

Scientific Method

Time Required

Very Short (≤ 1 day)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost

Very Low (under $20)

Safety

Adult supervision is required when dropping your whirlybird from a high place (like a second story window).

Credits

Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies

This project was adapted from the NASA Explores Program:
NASA. (n.d.). Rotor Motor Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved June 26, 2015.

Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators. Learn more about our process and how we use AI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KjnJYoIqPA

Objective

Build a paper "whirlybird" and see if adding weights makes it fall faster.

Introduction

If you have ever seen a maple seed spiraling down to the ground, you may have noticed that it falls slowly as it spins. This helps the wind disperse the seeds far from the tree. The seeds are pulled down by gravity. Their special shape helps them generate drag, which slows them down.

In this project you will build a paper device inspired by the maple seed - a whirlybird (Figure 1). Do you think adding more weight to the whirlybird will make it fall faster? Try this project to find out!

Image Credit: Ben Finio, Science Buddies / Science Buddies

Figure 1. A paper whirlybird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1-fmQCjWo

Terms and Concepts

• Gravity
• Drag
• Weight

Questions

• How do helicopters stay up in the air?
• Will adding weights to your whirlybird make it fall faster?

Materials and Equipment

• Computer with access to a printer to print the whirlybird template
  • Optional: If you do not have access to a printer, you can use a ruler and a piece of paper to draw your own whirlybird based on the online template
• Printer paper
• Scissors
• Paper clips (at least 3)
• Stopwatch
• Volunteer
• High place from which to drop the whirlybirds. For example, you could get an adult to stand on a chair or a ladder. If possible, you can drop the whirlybirds from a second floor window or balcony (on a calm day without too much wind), but only do this with adult supervision.
• Lab notebook

This project follows the Scientific Method. Review the steps before you begin.

1. Download the whirlybird template.
2. Print out the whirlybird template on a piece of printer paper. If you do not have access to a printer, use a pencil and ruler to draw the template outline on a blank piece of paper. Dimensions are given in the template file.
3. Follow the instructions on the template to cut out and fold your whirlybird. The finished whirlybird should look like the one from Figure 1 in the Introduction.
4. Draw a table like Table 1 in your lab notebook so you can use it to record your data.

Swipe left to see more

Table 1. Data table for recording your results.

	Fall Time (seconds)
# of Paper Clips	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3	Average
0
1
2
3
4

5. Get your stopwatch and volunteer helper ready.
   1. One person should be in charge of dropping the whirlybird, and the other person should use the stopwatch. You will need to start the stopwatch as soon as the whirlybird is dropped, and stop it as soon as it hits the ground.
   2. You should drop the whirlybird from a high place. If possible, drop it from a second story window or balcony (but not on a windy day), or have an adult stand on a chair or ladder. Make sure you drop the whirlybird from the exact same height each time.
6. Drop the whirlybird and use the stopwatch to time how long it takes to hit the ground. Record this value in Table 1, in the box for "Trial 1" next to "0" paper clips.
7. Repeat step 6 two more times for your second and third trials. Record these values in your data table.
8. Now, add a paper clip to the bottom of your whirlybird, as shown in Figure 2.

Image Credit: Ben Finio, Science Buddies / Science Buddies

Figure 2. A paper clip attached to the bottom of the whirlybird to add weight.

9. Repeat steps 6–7 with one paper clip. Remember to record your results in your data table, in the row for "1" paper clip.
10. Repeat steps 6–7 for two, three, and four paper clips. Make sure you record all of your results in the correct row in your data table. You should have three trials for each number of paper clips.
11. Ask an adult to help you calculate the average fall time for each number of paper clips. Record this value in the "Average" column in your data table.
    1. If you want to calculate the average yourself, you need to add up the values for each trial and then divide by three. For example, if your fall times for 0 paperclips were 6.0, 5.5, and 5.9 seconds, the average would be (6.0 + 5.5 + 5.9) ÷ 3 = 5.8 seconds.
12. Make a line graph with the number of paper clips on the x-axis (horizontal line) and the fall time in seconds on the y-axis (vertical line). Ask an adult or use the Create a Graph website if you need help making a graph.
13. Analyze your results. Did the whirlybird fall faster, slower, or stay the same as you added more paper clips? Is this what you thought would happen?

Ask an Expert

Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.

Post a Question

Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Variations

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