Science Flashcards
atmosphere
The mass of air which surrounds the earth.
Barbules
Projections on barbs that link with those above and below them to keep all the barbs connected making a solid feather surface.
Air resistance
Resistance or friction that acts to slow down an object as it moves through the air.
Air
An invisible mixture of gases which make up the Earth’s atmosphere - it consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen
Air Pressure
The force exerted on the surface of objects by the weight of air particles - air pressure acts from all directions and increases with the increased concentration of air molecules.
Air resistance
Resistance or friction that acts to slow down an object as it moves through the air.
Bernoulli’s principle
When the speed of a fluid is low (water or air), the pressure is high. When the speed of a fluid is high the pressure is low. The faster that air moves across a surface, the lower the air pressure.
Airfoil
A shape designed to provide lift when air flows around it.
Burning
A rapid form of oxidation in which substances combine with oxygen to form one or more oxides and plenty of heat and light, also called combustion.
Compression
The squeezing of the particles of a gas or porous body into a smaller space.
Expand
To take up more room
Contour feathers
The larger feathers that cover the body of birds and their wings. Contour feathers include flight feathers.
Down
Short fluffy feathers that lie underneath contour feathers. These feathers trap air and act as an insulator helping birds stay warm.
Drag
Resistance or friction that acts to slow down an object as it moves through a gas or liquid.
Friction
The force that resists the motion of one body over or through another.