The asymmetry of the maple seed suggests an analogy to an orbital system of two bodies, one heavier than the other. Such a system rotates about a point located between the two at a distance proportional to their weight (mass), closest to the heavier body. This kind of rotation can be observed by making a model of the South American cowboy's weapon, the bolas. Two foil balls, one weighing three times as much as the other, are made by crushing foil onto the knotted ends of a piece of thin string or fishing line. Toss the bolas and watch them rotate around each other as they fall. They will accelerate as they fall, and won't be held back by air resistance.
Now cut a piece about 1 1/2 inches wide from the long side of a 3x5 card, and tape the bolas to it diagonally. Toss the bolas-and-card, and with some luck you will see them rotate like a maple seed, and fall more slowly to the ground.
Time the two models to see how much more slowly the bolas- and-card falls. What happens if you toss the card by itself? Will the bolas-and-card autorotate if it is dropped?
