Designing a Parachute

Objective

Create a simple parachute and test its ability to slow down a falling object.

Materials

• Plastic bags or lightweight fabric
• String
• Small weights (e.g., washers)
• Scissors
• Notebook for observations

Instructions

1. Cut a large square or circle from a plastic bag or lightweight fabric to serve as the parachute canopy.
2. Attach strings to the corners or edges of the canopy and tie them together.
3. Secure a small weight to the end of the strings to act as the load.
4. Drop the parachute from a height and observe how it slows down the fall.
5. Measure and record the descent time in your notebook.
6. Experiment with different canopy sizes and string lengths to see how it affects the descent speed.
7. Analyze your findings to understand the principles of air resistance and how parachutes work.