Fog Tunnel Wing Test (Using Dry Ice)
Objective
In this experiment, we are observing how the wing flows through the air and see how changing the angle of the wing will change how air interacts with the wing. In doing this we will be noting the displacement of the wing and seeing how different wings cut the air.
Overview
In this experiment, you'll build a miniature wind tunnel to demonstrate how air flows around an airplane wing. Using dry ice, a box, and fans, you'll generate a visible smoke stream. By placing the wing in the center of the tunnel, you'll observe how it interacts with the smoke, revealing the dynamics of airflow in real-time.
ALL EXAMPLE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN AFTER THE PROCESS WAS OVER! ... (sorry)
End Result
Supplies
- Dry Ice
- Pipe
- 2.5" diameter
- Small fans (2)
- Cardboard
- Dowel rod
- Boiling water
- Phone (For recording/observing)
- Thick Gloves
- Hot glue(Hot glue gun)
- Boxes (2) - One of the boxes is fine to be cardboard, but one needs to be able to hold the dry ice and water.
- 6.3/4'' 4.5" 9" (ICE box) 6.3/4'' 4.5" 4.5" (Plane box) - the boxes can be various sizes; just try not to go too much bigger than these dimensions.
Predictions
- How do you think the wing will interact with the fog? Do you think there will not be changes in its path or do you think that there will be displacement? Why or why not?
- How do you think a difference in fog will affect how easy it is to record data about the wing?
- How do you think the different wing designs will affect the path of the fog? Why or why not?
- How do you think the angle of the wing will affect the amount of displacement presented in the fog?
Box Prep
1. Put the pipe up to the middle of the (PLANE box) on one of the walls and hold it there. With your other hand take the (ICE box) and press it up against the other end of the pipe. Either get someone to help you or very carefully mark the top of the pipe on the boxes.
2. Now, take one of the boxes, line up the pipe to the point you made, and finish tracing the circle. (Do this to both of the boxes.)
3. Cut the holes out.
4. Using the fan as a guide, trace a hole on the top of the (ICE box). Next, trace another hole on the opposite side of the (PLANE box) for the second fan. If one of your fans is too large, simply enlarge the hole on the (PLANE box) and position the fan in front of it instead.
5. Cut the holes out.
- The container I used already had a hole where you would cut out so I just used it.
6. If your (PLANE box) is made of cardboard, cut a small viewing hole on one of the sides without a fan or fog hole. Then, attach a piece of clear plastic over the hole to create a window for observing the "airflow" inside the box. You can secure the plastic in place using tape or glue.
Gluing
1. Now that you have prepped the boxes, put your pipe back in the holes you made and use hot glue to seal it to the boxes inside and outside.
2. Then cut a dowel rod to a length just under the middle of the pipe. Then, glue it down a few inches from the end of the pipe in the (PLANE box).
3. The fans can be glued but are not required to be. Don't glue the ICE box fan!
a. If you glue the (PLANE box) fan now, make sure the fan is pulling air out of the box.
Wings
1. Now that you are almost ready to start, make a few different kinds of wings to test and some smaller items to test as well.
2. Pick one to start and use a little glue or attach it to the doll rod.
Make the Fog
)
1. Now that you have everything ready, get a glass of hot water and pour it into the (ICE box) through the hole we made for the fan.
2. Now, put on your safety gloves and quickly add a few pieces of dry ice.
3. Then, after the fog starts to form, place the fan back on the hole, making sure it's blowing into the (ICE box). Then turn on the (PLANE box) fan making sure the fan is pulling air out of the (PLANE box).
4. Looking through the hole, observe the fog interacting with the wing.
Experiments
Trial 1: More fog Less fog
- Now, as you observe, add more dry ice and see if more fog makes it easy or harder to tell what is happening. Then let it go for a while and see if less fog makes it easy or harder to tell what is happening. Write down what you find!
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Trial 2: Different object.
- Now that you have tested your first wing design, take it out and try new ones. Record and write down what you find different about each. Then, after you have tried a few wings, try and put some random objects in there and see how they interact with the fog. Record and write down what you find different about each.
- other wing designs make them very different from one another. Add winglets to some to make them different sizes and make some of them full plans and different kinds of wings.
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Trial 3: Angles
- Now, put some of your wings at various angles to see how plane wings affect air when rising. Try this at different angles and record and write down what you find.
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Reflection Questions
- Did your original predictions match up with what happened in the end? If not, why not?
- Did you find the fog to be a sufficient way of displaying how air interacts with a plane wing? Why or why not?
- What did you find to be very successful? Why?
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Conclusion
- Write a brief conclusion explaining what you learned. Did this experiment change your understanding of how air interacts with plane wings? What challenged you the most? Did you find this experience fun, and if not, how did you feel about it?