Book 23, Question 117 · Video
Why Does a Flight From Toronto to London Take Less Time than the Trip Back?
Winds high above Earth are super fast. Going east can feel like a push. Coming west pushes against you! The jet stream usually blows from west to east.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does a flight from Toronto to London take less time than the trip back?
The Big Idea
Winds high above Earth are super fast. Going east can feel like a push. Coming west pushes against you!
Jet Stream
Step one: meet the jet stream. High up, a fast river of air called the jet stream usually blows west to east. It can move more than 100 miles per hour.
Tailwind
Step two: get a tailwind. A flight from Toronto to London gets a tailwind that can add over 100 miles per hour. That push helps the plane arrive sooner.
Headwind
Step three: face a headwind. The flight back flies into a headwind, so it can take an hour or so longer. Pilots sometimes pick paths to catch the strongest helpful winds.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! A fast river of air flows aloft. Eastbound flights get a push. Westbound flights push against it. Pilots choose paths carefully.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The jet stream usually blows from west to east. A tailwind can add over 100 miles per hour. A headwind can make the trip about an hour longer. Pilots plan routes to catch helpful winds.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Ask a grown-up to set up a fan safely. Hold a big piece of cardboard and walk toward the fan. Then walk with the fan behind you. Which way is easier? Talk about headwinds and tailwinds with a grown-up.
Outro
Toronto to London is often faster than the trip back because the jet stream usually blows west to east, giving a strong tailwind one way and a headwind the other. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Ask a grown-up to help with the safe fan-and-cardboard wind test today. Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!