Cambridge Secondary (7-9). Stage 7. MCE Science. Workbook - Unit 10: Forces - Question 12

Investigate how parachute surface area affects air resistance. Use two plastic squares, 30 × 30 cm and 60 × 60 cm, with four 30 cm strings attached to the corners of each and an identical small weight attached to each set of strings. Hold the parachutes at the same height and release them at the same time without pushing. Observe which reaches the ground first; swap observer and releaser roles and repeat. Use a safe, teacher-approved release position; do not climb on unstable furniture.

Work in pairs. You are going to carry out an experiment that investigates how surface area affects air resistance. First, state a hypothesis, for example, “The size of a parachute will affect the speed at which it falls.”