Question 1

How do birds stay up in the sky without falling?

Accepted Answer

Birds stay up in the sky because their wings push on the air beneath them. The air pushes back and helps them stay up.

Question 2

What makes a bird's wings special for flying?

Accepted Answer

A bird's wings are shaped like an airfoil, which is curved on top and flat on the bottom. This shape helps lift them into the air when they flap their wings.

Question 3

How does a plane fly in the sky?

Accepted Answer

A plane flies with the help of its engines that push it forward, and its wings that lift it upwards. The wings are shaped to help lift the plane into the sky.

Question 4

Why do planes have engines and birds don't?

Accepted Answer

Planes are very heavy, so they need engines to create a lot of power to move. Birds are lighter and can use their strong muscles to flap their wings.

Question 5

Why don't birds fall when they stop flapping their wings?

Accepted Answer

Some birds can glide, which means they can spread their wings and let the wind keep them up for a while. It's like how you can float for a bit if you slide on ice.

Question 6

What is a glider?

Accepted Answer

A glider is a special kind of plane that doesn't have an engine. It soars in the air by catching wind currents, just like birds do when they glide.

Question 7

How do birds know where to fly?

Accepted Answer

Birds often have an amazing sense of direction and use the sun, stars, and Earth's magnetic field to find their way. They also learn paths from their parents or other birds.

Question 8

How do helicopters fly differently from planes?

Accepted Answer

Helicopters have spinning blades called rotors that create lift in a different way, allowing them to hover in one place. Unlike planes, they can move straight up or down.

Question 9

Why don't people fly like birds?

Accepted Answer

People don't have wings or strong enough muscles like birds do to lift themselves off the ground. Instead, we use tools like planes to fly.

Question 10

How do pilots control a plane?

Accepted Answer

Pilots use special controls that move parts of the plane's wings and tail. These controls help the plane turn, go up or down, and keep level.

Question 11

What happens if a bird flaps its wings faster?

Accepted Answer

When a bird flaps its wings faster, it can fly higher or move faster. It's like when you pedal a bike faster to speed up.

Question 12

How do birds take off?

Accepted Answer

Birds usually run a little or jump off a perch to get started. They flap their wings quickly to push against the air and lift off.

Question 13

What helps birds change direction in the air?

Accepted Answer

Birds can change direction by tilting their wings or tail feathers. It's like how you steer a bike by turning the handlebars.

Question 14

Why do planes need runways but some birds don't?

Accepted Answer

Planes need a long runway to build up speed to take off. Some birds can jump off from a standstill thanks to their lighter bodies and strong wings.

Question 15

How do birds slow down when landing?

Accepted Answer

Birds spread out their wings and tail feathers to create more air resistance. This helps them slow down as they come to land gently.

Question 16

Why can't all birds fly?

Accepted Answer

Some birds, like penguins and ostriches, have heavy bodies or wings that are not good for flying. They are better at swimming or running.

Question 17

What makes a plane's wings different from a bird's wings?

Accepted Answer

A plane's wings are stiff and don't flap, but they are designed to create the same lifting effect. Birds' wings can move and change shape to help with flying.

Question 18

Why don't planes flap their wings like birds?

Accepted Answer

Planes are made of metal and can't flap their wings like birds. They rely on engines for forward movement to help lift them into the air.

Question 19

How does wind help birds and planes fly?

Accepted Answer

Wind can give extra lift to both birds and planes, helping them move more easily through the sky. It's like a gentle push from the air.

Question 20

What's the difference between flying and gliding?

Accepted Answer

Flying means using energy to move through the air, like flapping wings or using engines. Gliding is when birds or planes move without energy, just floating and riding the wind.

The Mechanics of Flight: How Birds Soar and Planes Fly - 20 FAQs Explained Simply