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For a thorough but deep description look at the link in the Related links section below.

The basis principle states that for an object in motion in a fluid (or a stationary object in a moving fluid), the pressure of the fluid on the body decreases as the speed of the fluid over the body increases. Air is considered a fluid for aerodynamic purposes.

The basic cross section of an aircraft wing is a bottom surface that is essentially flat or slightly curved (the term is "camber", for the purists) while the upper surface is much more curved. For the sake of demonstration (and ignoring a lot of variables and factors), assume that the wing is 5 meters from the front or leading edge to the back or trailing edge (a distance called the "chord" of the wing), including flaps, and the plane is traveling at 100 meters per second (m/s), or 224 miles per hour for the US readers.

When moving through air at 100 m/s, the air flows over the 5 meters of flat bottom surface at roughly 100 m/s. However, the curved upper surface means that the distance that air moves over it from front to back is more then 5 meters. If the curve adds 1 meter to the distance, air must travel over 6 meters of surface to go the 5 meters from front to back. The only way that can be done is for the speed of the airflow to increase to 120 m/s over the curved contour of the wing.

By Bernoulli's Principle, this results in lower pressure on the curved surface than on the flat lower surface. ergo lift is generated. The formulas for calculating the lift are beyond the scope of this post, but are included in the Wiki article.

An aside: helicopters aka rotary wing aircrafts typically use a symetrical blade cross-section. The rotor has no inherent lift, to avoid instability when the rotor is spinning while on the ground. Its lift is created by rotating the blade on its long axis so that it moves at an angle (pitch) to the plane of rotation.

Class dismissed :-)

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How can planes fly upside down?

Planes can fly upside down by generating enough lift from their wings to counteract the force of gravity pulling them towards the ground. This is achieved by adjusting the angle of the wings and using the engine power to maintain the necessary speed and control.


What are the advantages of Bernoulli's principle in airplanes?

Bernoulli's principle explains how the difference in air pressure above and below an airplane wing creates lift, allowing an airplane to fly. Understanding and applying this principle helps in designing more efficient and aerodynamic aircraft. It also aids in explaining the physics behind flight maneuvers and improving aircraft performance.


What is bernoulle's principle?

The Bernoulli principle states that the speed of a fluid increasing and its pressure decreasing happen at the same time. It's the physical property that planes depend on for flight, because the speed of the air beneath the wing is slower, and thus the pressure higher, pushing it up.


What principle explains why planes fly?

The Bernoulli Effect, which states that the air moving under the flat plane of a wing's surface is traveling slower than the air traveling over the curved top surface, which creates upward-pressure due to the difference in airspeed. Put your hand out a car window sometime and hold it flat (parallel to the ground) as you travel faster and faster. At normal in-town speed, you will observe little effect, other than the wind moving the hairs on your skin. At highway speed, you will be able to observe the Bernoulli effect in action, as the flat plane of your hand is pressed upward into the faster-moving air.


Do planes have gravity?

Planes are subject to the force of gravity just like any other object on Earth. Gravity is what keeps planes and other objects anchored to the ground, and it also affects their movement and flight. Pilots use gravity to control the descent and ascent of a plane, as well as to maintain stability during flight.

Related Questions

When Japanese attacked pearl harbor was damage done to the American planes?

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The same way it flies... Gliders are lighter and they use Bernoulli's principle for lift. and once they get speed they can keep flying... they also use updrafts from the ground to get lift


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To roll on the ground.


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Yes they do, if only for use on the ground.


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With the exception of certain jump jets, helicopters can land easier than planes and better maneuverability. Planes are much faster and can carry stronger air to air weapons or bombs, but helicopters have better air to ground precision weapons. Helicopters are better for ground force support. helicopter requires less space instead of planes.


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