Designing a Parachute

Which Material Has The Slowest Timed Parachute Drop.

Earlier this school year in science class we did a parachute Experiment but we didn't really go up the limits that would get a full-on test. So that's what exactly did for the science fair. I always wanted to do this for a long time and basically I thought it was a very good idea to do this for project. my hypothesis was that the plastic bag would be the best because it has the least amount of air resistance.

I did this project by going on a stepping stool and went on my backyard table to do it. I also did it on a low wind resistant days because sometimes wind plays a factor in how a parachute falls. So first I got my material and with the bag I just tied it around the handles and dropped it from each distance. For the plate I got super thin rope and tie it to an 20.5 ounce egg or 1 pound and 4.5 ounces. For the cloth I did the same thing and dropped it from 15 feet up 10 feet up and 5 feet up. I’m trying to measure the time of the material of the parachute and the goal is which one has the slowest. I did it once but I made sure I got each one and did a test drop before to make sure it would actually work.

My result for this project were as I expected but it was a close match for all three materials a paper plate, a plastic bag, and a piece of cloth. It went ad for the cloth because it had terrible results and didn’t have good air resistance. It wouldn’t be my choice to go skydiving with if I ever had to have to pick a material to glide with. The paper plates had a solid performance not good not bad but more good then bad because it had reasonable data. Lastly the plastic bags had a good performance it did well and if I had the chose to be glided by these 3 materials i would choose the plastic bag.

During the course of the project i’ve learned what building an experimental parachute felt like and it was pretty hard it took time definitely. My hypothesis was correct that plastic bags did the best out of the three materials. Why it was? It was the best because it took the longest to fall from the distance in all three feet lengths. I think the only way I would do this project differently is maybe do this in a big inside area because I know there is no wind at all. But with my places I can do this project it was best option. But I could've dropped it from greater height, test other designs and materials.