How do aerodynamics work?

Answer 1

This is a very general question. We use aerodynamics in two ways, for drag and left (or negative lift e.i. down-force). Drag is when something is moving and the particles in the air pummel the moving object, slowing it down. We try to get around this by making the objects more stream-lined so less of the air particles will hit it. Airplanes use the particles in the air for lift. One may not think this, but air is in fact slightly viscous (for all intents and purposes, sticky) and the wing of a plane has an almost flat underside but a convex top side. The air travelling over the top of the wing follows the curvature of the wing which means it is pulled down towards the back end, and in order to be an equal and opposite reaction to this action (newtons third law of motion) the wing (and the plane) must be pulled upwards, so therefore creating lift.

Racing cars work on a similar principle but in reverse to create down-force, because at high speeds the air could cause the cars to lift off the ground slightly so giving them very little grip, but for the use of down-force. In many cases it is simply turning the wing upside down, but the technology has become a lot more advanced over the last few decades.