Modified Bicycle Design
To test wing lift
data, the Wright Brothers
placed a wheel horizontally on the front of a bike. They placed wing models
on opposite sides of the wheel (left and right) at certain angles to test
data that Otto Lilienthal
produced in 1889.
In this experiment
you will also try to obtain the lift between two models, but qualitatively.
A bar balanced horizontally that is free to rotate vertically will be
a simple way to observe the generated lift.
It is very easy to
attach a bar to the frame of the bicycle so that the bar stretches over
the front tire. To this bar, a rotating bar can be attached. It is suggested
that you not permanently attach the rotating bar since you can also perform
a quantitative measure of lift experiment
with the bicycle. The wing models will also be attached to this rotating
bar. But try to attach the wing models as far from the center of gravity
of the bar as possible, while still maintaining the balance of the bar.
This allows for maximum torque and for lift to be easily observed.
A diagram is provided
below to help guide your thinking in the bar attachments.