The science behind paper airplanes is based on the principles of aerodynamics, which determine the distance and ease at which they fly. The key forces that affect the flight of a paper airplane are:

• Thrust: The initial thrust comes from the muscles of the "pilot" as the paper airplane is launched. When you push a paper airplane forward, this is a type of force known as thrust.

• Drag: Planes that push a lot of air, like your hand did when it was facing the side, are said to have a lot of "drag," or resistance, to moving through the air. If you want your plane to fly as far as possible, you want a plane with as little drag as possible.

• Gravity: You need to keep your planes weight to a minimum to help fight against gravitys pull to the ground.

• Lift: Air moving over and under the wings pushes the plane upward, while the gravity from the Earth pulls it down. When these four forces are used in balance, paper airplanes will fly longer.

The design of a paper airplane plays a vital role in its performance. The surface area, wing design, and purpose of the airplane affect how well it stays afloat in the air at a certain speed while moving forward. Changing the design of paper airplanes can cause a major difference in their flight, and even a small dent or fold in a symmetrical plane can disturb its course of direction, sometimes stopping it from flying. Therefore, experimenting with different designs and materials can help in making a successful paper airplane.