Book 3, Question 111
Why Does a Frisbee Fly?
A flying disc is a spinning wing. Air moves faster over the curved top than under the rim, and that creates lift. Tilt the disc, and it curves!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 3
More fun facts
- A Frisbee flies because of its spin and its shape.
- Spinning gives a Frisbee angular momentum, which keeps it steady in the air. The faster it spins, the steadier it should be.
- The spinning disc acts like a gyroscope, so it does not wobble and flip.
- A Frisbee is shaped like an airplane wing, which helps it make lift.
- Air moves faster over the curved top than underneath, so the pressure is lower on top and higher below, pushing it up.
- A Frisbee thrown flat flies much farther than one thrown tilted down.
Sources: Smithsonian, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
Why do you spin a Frisbee when you throw it?
Spinning keeps the Frisbee steady, so it glides instead of flipping over.