AY Honors/Kites/Answer Key
1. When were kites first made and flown? Name at least three ways kites have helped in scientific research and tell how each has affected the world we live in. Tell the story of Benjamin Franklin and his kite.
Approximately 2800 years ago the kite was first invented and popularized in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material, fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line, and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. The kite was said to be the invention of the famous 5th century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. By at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown, as it was recorded in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission.
2. Name some of the ways that kites might be used today.
Kites are use today for the following:
- Predicts weather
- Carries loads of water
- Spaceflight
3. Explain briefly how kites fly.
The kites get a lift from the wind in the sky. The same current of air keeps them in flight up on the sky. The higher the kite gets the stronger the current and the longer your kite will stay up in the air.
4. Define the following terms:
- a. Spine
- The spine is the base of the kite, the support.
- b. Spar
- c. Vent
- The vent helps lift the kite.
- d. Bowstring
The bowstring is tied from each end of the spar, making the spar bow-shaped, and giving the kite its wing-shape.
- e. Cover
- f. Frame
makes the shape of the kite
- g. Tail
The tail helps with stability.
- h. Keel
helps with stability
- i. Flying line
a person holds on to it to control the kite
- j. Bridle
- k. Reel
Lets out the line
5. What is a common cause of kite failure?
Lack of wind, trees, power lines, and essential parts of the kite breaking (e.g. to much wind can break the kite string.)
6. What should be done when a kite loops during flight?
7. Why is a tail sometimes needed on a kite?
8. Know at least three safety rules for kite flying.
- Never fly a kite when it's raining and lightning.
- Do not fly a kite by roads.
- Do not fly by power lines.
9. Do the following:
a. Correctly wind line on a stick.
b. Tie broken ends with the fisherman's knot.
Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Knot/Fisherman's bend
