Background Research: Glider Design

You will be making a hypothesis in order to predict how the design modification you make to your glider (increasing lift, increasing lift + drag, decreasing lift, or increasing drag + weight) will affect your dependent variable (distance the glider travels, or distance the glider lands from a target).  As we have learned from a year of spectacular science, we need background research (evidence) in order to make a hypothesis (tentative claim).

You may use Shonscience posts, videos, and articles (including those from Mr. Cirone's class) to conduct your background research.  Below are links to articles that will support your research.  The key is find supporting evidence that addresses the question, 
"How will your independent variable affect your dependent variable?"

If your independent variable involves changing LIFT:
Wings provide lift for gliding Squirrels
Shonscience: What Makes Something Fly?
Shonscience: How do you Control a Plane?
Camber is the Key (see "Camber line: at the heart of it all")
What is an Airfoil?
Factors Affecting Lift
Inclination Effects on Lift
The Work of Wings
The Airfoil Misconception
Forces on a Glider
What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?
Scholastic: What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?
Paper Airplane Designs For Distance

If your independent variable involves changing WEIGHT:
Factors Affecting the Performance of an Airplane (see the "Landing performance charts" section)
Wings provide lift for gliding Squirrels
The Effect of Weight on Glide Ratio
GlidesForces on a Glider
Shonscience: What Makes Something Fly?
Shonscience: How do you Control a Plane?
What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?
How Far Will It Fly?
Scholastic: What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?

If your independent variable involves changing DRAG:
Shonscience: What Makes Something Fly?
Shonscience: How do you Control a Plane?
Test Paper Planes with Different Drag
Reducing Landing Distance
Forces on a Glider
What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?
Scholastic: What Makes Paper Airplanes Fly?