What is the Center of Gravity?

The center of gravity (CG) is a point where the weight of an object is evenly distributed in all directions. In simpler terms, it is the balance point of an object. For a paper airplane, the CG is crucial because it affects how the plane flies. If the CG is too far forward or too far back, the airplane won't fly correctly.

Why is the Center of Gravity Important for Paper Airplanes?

When you're flying a paper airplane, the CG influences the stability and control during flight. A well-balanced paper airplane (one with a properly placed CG) will glide smoothly through the air, while one that is unbalanced will either nosedive or stall out. Understanding the CG can help you design better airplanes.

Finding the Center of Gravity

To find the center of gravity in a paper airplane, follow these steps:

1. Fold your airplane: Start by making a simple paper airplane. You can find many designs online, but we're focusing on a simple dart design.
2. Locate the balance point: Hold the airplane by its wings and try to find a point where it balances without tipping forward or backward. This point is the center of gravity.
3. Mark the CG: You can lightly mark this point with a pencil for reference.

Adjusting the Center of Gravity

If your paper airplane is not flying well, you can adjust the center of gravity by:

1. Adding weight: You can tape a small paperclip or a piece of tape to the nose (front) of your airplane to bring the CG forward, which can help it fly straighter if it’s diving too quickly.
2. Trimming the wings: If the back is too heavy, you can cut the wings or add more folds towards the front to shift the CG back. Experiment to see what works best.

Experimenting with Paper Airplanes

Once you've located and adjusted the center of gravity in your paper airplane, try flying different designs and making adjustments.

• How far can you throw it?
• Can it do loops?
• How does changing the CG affect the distance and style of the flight?

Experiment with various weights and designs to see how they impact the flight performance. Learning about the center of gravity is not just fun, but it also paves the way for understanding concepts in physics, aerodynamics, and engineering!