10C10.40 - Helicopter Rotor

Code Number:
10C10.40
Demo Title:
Helicopter Rotor
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Rotational Lift
Area of Study:
Chemistry and Physics
Equipment:
Zoom Copter.
Procedure:

Set the Zoom Copter on the launching mechanism.  Pull the string and at the same time lift the launch mechanism out and away from you.  With practice the copter is supposed to come back to the launcher.  However in the lecture rooms the air currents usually deflect the copter to some nearby point.

NOTE: Warn the students before doing this so they can catch the copter if it goes astray.

References:
  • Philip Blanco, "Rotorcraft RPM on Mars", TPT, Vol. 59, #6, Sept. 2021, p. 388.
  • John Strong, "Downwash and Lift Force in Helicopter Flight", TPT, Vol. 49, #3, Mar. 2011, p. 132.
  • Michael Liebl, "Investigating Flight With a Toy Helicopter", TPT, Vol. 48, #7, Oct. 2010, p. 458.
  • Ron Edge, "Caught in the Draft", TPT, Vol. 45, #6, Sept. 2007, p. 338.
  • Guinness World Records, "Largest Helicopter in Production", 2003, p. 154.
  • Guinness World Records, "Earliest Helicopter Flight", 2003, p. 139.
  • Guinness World Records, "First Production Helicopter", 2003, p. 120.


Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.