How big can a maple seed wing get? This experiment used a real maple seed and some Scotch® tape to make the wing larger. The weight distribution was changed, but not too greatly because the tape weighs little compared to the seed.
The change in wing size and shape changed rotation of the hybrid seed as shown:
- wide + long = steep "cone" of rotation with rapid fall
- narrow + long = very rapid wobbling fall; no rotation
- narrow + short = shallow cone of rotation with slow drop
- vane + short = shallow cone of rotation with rapid fall
Compare the results of this experiment to the experiments with cut winged and with the variable winged models. How do you explain these results?
