Question

Question #cc64d

Answer 1

Gravity never changes unless you go very high from the surface of the earth

Explanation:

A paper plane flies at an altitude of about 2.5m - 3.5m. That is negligible compared to what the radius of the earth is.`(6400Km)`

So, gravity more or less remains the same at such a small height `i.e` `9.8m/s^2`.

So you can't really say that a paper plane changes the effect of gravity.

What really comes into account is not gravity but air friction. Paper plane is made up of paper( no pun intended ). So it is kind of light.

When you throw your paper plane, gravity is same but air friction starts to act from below and from above. Interestingly the air friction from the bottom is so high that it overcomes the weight of the paper or the force with which the earth pulls the plane towards it. And so it flies upwards and forwards.

But remember, energy always remains conserved, and there is air friction acting from above and from the front. These forces slow down the plane, and ultimately it comes to a halt. Unless you are flying it in a vacuum.