Question
How does a plane overcome gravity?
Answer
Thank you for your question about how planes overcome gravity. I have always been fascinated with flight and I enjoyed researching this subject for you.
Basically, a plane overcomes gravity by producing enough lift to counteract its weight. Just how an airplane produces lift is a very complex matter. Here are some websites that describe the process and explain the forces involved.
To find informative, non-commercial websites that would be good for an eighth grader, I went to Yahooligans http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/ - the children's section of the Yahoo web directory & search engine). I clicked on the Science button on the left, then the Science and Nature category (lower left side of the page), then Machines, then Airplanes and flying, then Aeronautics. This page http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/Science_and_Nature/Machines/Airplanes_and_Flying/Aeronautics/) listed 7 websites that explain how planes fly. Here are the three best for your question and grade level.
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Flight Principles:
Principles of Flight - Level 1
http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/princ1.htm
Click on the section called
