Air and water resistance

Part of ScienceForcesYear 5

Different forces

Parachutes have a large surface area so they create a lot of air resistance. This helps to slow people down as they fall to the earth.

Friction is a force that slows objects down and it can occur when an object moves through water or air.

Air resistance is a type of friction between air and another material.

Objects with a large surface area create more air resistance so they move more slowly though air. That is why sky divers use parachutes.

It's the same for an object moving through water. If you go swimming, there is friction between your skin and the water. This is known as water resistance.

Parachutes have a large surface area so they create a lot of air resistance. This helps to slow people down as they fall to the earth.
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Watch: Air and water resistance

Learn about water and air resistance.

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Activity 1: Label the forces

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Activity 2: Water and air resistance quiz

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Activity 3: Making gliders

Investigate how the shape of gliders and helicopters affects how they stay in the air with this activity in partnership with the Science Museum Group.

Make it fly

Discover how to make different gliders here.

Make it fly
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