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A wing creates lift by imparting a downward momentum to the air flowing above and below it. The rate of change of momentum is equal to Force (Newton's 2nd law), and therefore a reaction force pushes the wing up, producing lift (Newton's 3rd law).
The imparting of this downward momentum ("downwash") to the air results from an air pressure differential above/below the wing. If you know the pressure above the wing and the pressure below the wing, and the wing area, you can calculate the lift force on the wing since Force = Pressure x Area. If you don't know the pressures, you can get a rough estimate if you know what the average air velocities are above and below the wing. A wing creating lift will have higher speed air flowing over the top of it than flowing below it. By employing Bernoulli's Principle, you can calculate a pressure difference corresponding to the difference in velocity.
An airfoil shape is effective in generating lift since it helps to keep the air flowing smoothly around the wing, making the wing more effective in diverting the air downwards. However, even a perfectly flat wing can create lift (such as in a toy balsa wood glider). However a flat wing isn't practical for a full sized airplane since it's not quite as effective in producing lift, it produces a lot of drag and it stalls abruptly.
Note that there is no requirement that the air molecules separating at the leading edge and flowing below the wing meet up with the same molecules that flow over the top. This is called the "equal transit time theory" and is a popular science myth that unfortunately has found it's way into flight manuals and even some undergraduate texts. However, aerodynamics engineers have known ever since they started doing wind tunnel testing that the air flowing over a lifting wing reaches the trailing edge sooner than the air below it. This is true even for a perfectly flat wing. This can be explained in terms of the circulation theory, which is an advanced concept.
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How does the wing shape on an airplane affect its ability to hold weight?
The wing shape of an airplane, particularly its airfoil profile, affects its ability to generate lift. A curved or cambered wing shape helps generate more lift, allowing the airplane to carry more weight. Additionally, the wing design influences the distribution and efficiency of lift across the wingspan.
How is Bernoulli's principle applied in real life to explain the lift generated by an airplane wing?
Bernoulli's principle is applied in real life to explain the lift generated by an airplane wing through the concept that faster-moving air creates lower pressure, causing the wing to lift. This principle helps to understand how the shape of the wing and the speed of the air around it work together to generate lift and keep the airplane in the air.
Why does the lift on an airplane wing increase as the speed of the airplane increases?
The lift on an airplane wing increases as the speed of the airplane increases due to the Bernoulli's principle. Faster airspeed over the wing creates lower pressure, and higher pressure underneath the wing generates lift. This relationship creates more lift force as airspeed increases.
What force pushes an airplane wing up?
The force that pushes an airplane wing up is called lift. Lift is generated by the difference in air pressure above and below the wing, created by the wing's shape and angle of attack. This force allows the airplane to overcome gravity and stay airborne.
How much lift does an airplane need to fly?
An airplane needs enough lift to overcome its weight in order to fly. The amount of lift required depends on factors such as the aircraft's weight, velocity, wing design, and air density. Pilots can adjust the airplane's angle of attack and airspeed to generate the necessary lift for flight.
How does the wing shape on an airplane affect its ability to hold weight?
The wing shape of an airplane, particularly its airfoil profile, affects its ability to generate lift. A curved or cambered wing shape helps generate more lift, allowing the airplane to carry more weight. Additionally, the wing design influences the distribution and efficiency of lift across the wingspan.
How is Bernoulli's principle applied in real life to explain the lift generated by an airplane wing?
Bernoulli's principle is applied in real life to explain the lift generated by an airplane wing through the concept that faster-moving air creates lower pressure, causing the wing to lift. This principle helps to understand how the shape of the wing and the speed of the air around it work together to generate lift and keep the airplane in the air.
What is the wing of airplane is also known as?
The wing of an airplane is also known as an "airfoil." This term refers to the shape of the wing, which is designed to generate lift when air flows over it. The design and structure of the airfoil are crucial for the aircraft's aerodynamic performance and stability in flight.
Why does the lift on an airplane wing increase as the speed of the airplane increases?
The lift on an airplane wing increases as the speed of the airplane increases due to the Bernoulli's principle. Faster airspeed over the wing creates lower pressure, and higher pressure underneath the wing generates lift. This relationship creates more lift force as airspeed increases.
What does wing size lift and speed have to do with an airplane?
Wing size, lift, and speed are crucial factors in an airplane's performance. Larger wings generate more lift, enabling the aircraft to take off and maintain flight at lower speeds. However, increased wing size can also lead to greater drag, affecting speed and fuel efficiency. Thus, a balance must be achieved between wing size and speed to optimize an airplane's design for its intended purpose.
What force pushes an airplane wing up?
The force that pushes an airplane wing up is called lift. Lift is generated by the difference in air pressure above and below the wing, created by the wing's shape and angle of attack. This force allows the airplane to overcome gravity and stay airborne.
Does the shape of an airplane wing matter?
Yes because an airplane wing has to cut through wind and create loft and lift.
How much lift does an airplane need to fly?
An airplane needs enough lift to overcome its weight in order to fly. The amount of lift required depends on factors such as the aircraft's weight, velocity, wing design, and air density. Pilots can adjust the airplane's angle of attack and airspeed to generate the necessary lift for flight.
How does thehow is a birds flight and airplanes flight alike and different?
The airplane and bird both generate lift by the air flowing over their wings. The shape of the wings cause a low pressure zone above the wing and a high pressure zone under the wing generating lift. The main difference is the airplane's wings are stationary requiring engines to supply the forward motion to generate the airflow/lift needed. A bird has to flap their wings to generate the forward motion/lift. A bird can cause lift by flapping it's wing up/down but also by changing the angle of it's wings (angle of attack) to generate lift. The bird can generate more forward thrust by also drawing the wings rearward, Different birds fly differently (hummingbirds vs. condors, etc).
What does the increased pressure below an airplane's wing cause?
Lift.
Is the upward force on a airplane wing is thrust?
Thrust is the forward motion of the airplane provided by the engines. Lift is the upward force on an airplanes wing.
What is the upward force acting on the wing of an airplane in flight?
The upward force acting on the wing of an airplane is called lift. It is generated by the flow of air over the wing, due to the difference in air pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. This lift force is what enables the airplane to overcome gravity and stay in the air.
