Parachutes

Designing a Parachute A long time ago,

in 1400, and artist named Leonardo DaVinci drew plans to create a parachute, but never tried it himself.

Designing a ParachuteIt wasn’t until the 1700’s, that man from France, who worked with balloons, named Andre Garnerin used the first successful parachute.

So why would you want to use a parachute?

To slow things down as they fall.

Do you know the force that pulls things to the earth? Gravity!

Now watch as I drop this balled up piece of paper. What force made it fall to the

ground? Gravity!

What can I do to slow it down? Open it up What made it fall to the

ground? Gravity! But since there was

more space that the paper was taking up, it fell slower.

Let’s drop something else! What if I were to drop this

box of paper clips? Big surprise…they fell.

Our good friend gravity is at it again! What a mess! (and noisy too!)

But if I attached a parachute to the box…. What happens? The slower fall made for a softer landing. My paperclips were safe too!