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Powered Paper Planes: AMA Junior Camp V3 Project 5

a young boy sitting at a table building capacitor paper airplane

“Unleash the Power: Create a Capacitor-Powered Paper Airplane!”

What You’ll Need:

  • AMA Jr. Camp Flight Pack Electronics Kit
  • Your Trusty Paper Airplane (the one you’ve been keeping since Day 1)
  • Charger
  • Tape
  • Plenty of Open Space

Mission Objectives:

  1. Critical Thinking Skills: Buckle up for predictions and hypothesis testing! 🤔🔍
  2. Engineering Adventure: How can we elevate a working model using technology and our understanding of the physical world? 🛠️🌎

Key Terms:

  • Capacitor: Picture a temporary battery—it stores electrical charge and releases it when needed. Our paper plane is about to get electrified! ⚡🔋
  • Center of Gravity: Find that sweet spot where balance meets flight performance. 🪂🎯
  • Propeller: The force behind thrust—the wind beneath your wings (or wingspan)! 🔄🚀
  • Torque: Spin the propeller one way, and the plane spins the other. Physics magic! 🌀🛩️
  • Nose: The front end of your airborne masterpiece. ✈️👃
  • Trailing Edge: The secret sauce for performance tweaks—especially with added power! 🛫🔧

Bonus Round: How Do Propellers Work?

Ever wondered how propellers generate thrust? Look closely at those curved blades—they’re like the rotor blades on a helicopter. It’s all about Bernoulli’s principle: faster airflow over the upper surface creates lower air pressure, propelling your plane forward! 🌀💨

Safety First:

  • NEVER put your fingers near a propeller blade, charged or not! Safety is our co-pilot. 🙅‍♂️🔒
  • Clear that flying space—no obstacles allowed. Let your plane soar like a dream! 🌟🏞️

Get ready to launch your imagination alongside your capacitor-powered paper plane. Adventure awaits! 🚀🌟

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