TOPIC: DINOSAURS
LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
"The Wing of A Pterosaur"
[information |
preparation |
activity ]
- SCIENCE CONCEPT:
-
The shape of the wing of a Pterosaurs is very similar
to that of both bats and birds. Many scientists believe that the
Pterosaurs were the forerunners to bats and birds.
- STUDENT OBJECTIVE:
-
The student will draw a cross-sectional picture of
the wing of the Pterosaurs and a diagram of the parts of the wing and
label the various parts. The student will be able to observe the
similarities between the shape of the wing of the Pterosaurs to that of
bats and birds. The Quetzalcoatlus is the largest Pterosaur found to
date with a wing span of up to 63 feet. This is the size of a modern
aircraft such as a DC-3.
- OVERVIEW:
-
The student will draw the cross sectional shape of the wing of
the Pterosaurs and a diagram of its wing, and label.
- TEACHER TEXT:
-
The shape of the wing of Pterosaurs is very similar to that
of both bats and birds. It, in some ways, has features of both. Birds
generally have a wing with a cross sectional shape of a common airfoil as
used on aircraft. A rounded nose, relatively flat on the bottom, and a
curved upper surface tapering to a thin point in the rear. This shape is
achieved by a combination of the bony structure of the wing, the skin and
muscle tissue of the wing, and the feathers overlaying the wing. A
similar cross section of a bats wing will yield a wing slightly
different, basically a cambered airfoil shape, that is, a wing which is a
flattened semi-circular curve where the upper and lower surface follow
the same shape. Both the bats wing and the birds wing provide lift and
are very efficient for powered flight. Although there are differences
and generally perhaps the bats wings are better adapted for slow flight
birds for faster flight, they both are efficient wings.
In addition to the fossils found of Pterosaurs
impressions of their wings and bodies have also been found. These
impressions were apparently left in the mud where the animal died and
have been included in the fossil record. The impressions indicate that
the Pterosaurs had membrane type wings similar to bats, but longer and
narrower similar to birds. Basically a cambered airfoil shape but with
wing areas and aspect ratios similar to birds. The impressions also
indicate that the "membrane" structure had a fibrous or muscle structure
to it. All this leads to the conclusion that the Pterosaurs generally
had membrane type wings, but with sufficient supporting structure to make
the wing taught or on the rigid side. This drives the conclusion that
the airfoil of the Pterosaurs allowed for precise flight control as in
modern birds and bats. It tends to counter the argument that they were
"failures at flight" as some have speculated. And it tends to lead to
the conclusion that Pterosaurs were quite accomplished flyers.
PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes
LESSON TIME: 25-30 minutes
TEACHER PREP:
-
Gather pictures of Pterosaurs - their wing shape and
diagrammed wing shape.
WORDS TO KNOW:
- Pterosaurs
- cambered
- membrane
- fibrous
- cross-sectional shape
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- drawing paper
- pencils
- erasers
- rulers
- STEPS TO FOLLOW:
-
1. Share pictures of Pterosaurs' cross-sectional shape of its wing, a
diagram picture of its wing span and labeling. Place on the board in
front of the class. Discuss the various parts.
-
2. Ask the students to come up close and study the pictures to really
get a good idea of the dimension of the wing.
-
3. Then ask the students to draw a cross sectional shape picture of the
wing of the Pterosaurs and a diagram of the wing as well. Make sure that
the students label the diagrammed picture of the wing.
-
4. Display the drawings on a bulletin board in the classroom.
- WHY?
-
The shape of the wing of the Pterosaur is the determining
factor in the scientist's mind that the Pterosaur in fact flew. In
studying the shape of the wing, the student can see why scientists have
come to this conclusion of flight among some of the dinosaurs.
- ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?
-
4....Student is able to illustrate at least 4 parts of the cross
sectional shape and wing of the Pterosaurs.
-
3....Student is able to illustrate at least 3 parts of the cross
sectional shape and wing of the Pterosaurs.
-
2....Student is able to illustrate at least 2 parts of the cross
sectional shape and wing of the Pterosaurs.
-
1....Student is able to illustrate at least 1 part of the cross sectional
shape and wing of the Pterosaurs.