Beginner's
Guide to Aerodynamics
Displacement
Activity
Subject Area:
Trigonometry
Grade Level:
11 - 12
National Mathematics
Standards:
- Demonstrate the
ability to read written presentations of mathematics with understanding.
- Apply trigonometry
to problem situations involving triangles.
National Technology
Standards:
- Research Tools
- Use content-specific tools, software and simulations (e.g., environmental
probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to
support learning and research.
- Problem-Solving
and Decision-Making Tools - Routinely and efficiently use on-line
information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publications,
communications, and productivity.
Objectives:
After reading
an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook, you will demonstrate an
understanding of the text by applying it to solve displacement problems
of gliders. You will:
- Calculate the
length of a side of a triangle using a trigonometric function.
- Calculate the
measure of an angle given two sides of a triangle with a trigonometric
function.
Beginner's Guide to
Aerodynamics is a "textbook" of information prepared at NASA Glenn Research
Center to help you better understand how airplanes work. Click
Beginner's
Guide Index to access the list of slides available at Beginner's Guide
to Aerodynamics. Open the slide called Glider
Trajectory Problem from the series and read the explanation. Then
using the information, complete a set of problems designed to demonstrate
your ability to solve displacement problems of gliders.
Click Displacement
Activity to begin the problems.
Assessment:
You, or you
and your partner(s), will be evaluated on the accuracy or feasibility
of your answers.
Evaluation:
You will
demonstrate the ability to use information found on the World Wide Web
to apply trigonometry to real life problems.
Submitted by:
Michael Burich,
Shaw High School, East Cleveland, Ohio
E-mail: burich@juno.com
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