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An air foil has a flat path underneath and a curved surface over the top. the air travelling over the curved surface travels slower as it has further to go than the same air underneath. this has the effect of causing a vacuum and therefore lift.

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How does the flow over an airfoil affect its lift and drag characteristics?

The flow over an airfoil affects its lift and drag characteristics by creating differences in air pressure above and below the airfoil. This pressure difference generates lift, which is the force that allows an aircraft to stay airborne. The flow also creates drag, which is the resistance that opposes the motion of the aircraft. The shape and angle of the airfoil, as well as the speed and density of the air, all play a role in determining the lift and drag forces acting on the airfoil.


How is an airfoil shaped?

Each aircraft has a different shaped airfoil. The purpose of the airfoil shape is to reduce drag over a range of speeds which the aircraft wing operates at while providing the least possible drag at the cruising speed (regular flight speed) in order to ensure good performance.


Which part of the wing produces more lift the upper part or the lower part?

Tough question to answer as asked. In normal airfoils, the top of the airfoil is thicker and curved and it is this thicker, curved section that causes the air to speed up as it flows over it. This increase in airspeed over the top of the airfoil results in a lowering of the pressure and it is that pressure differential between the top and the bottom of the airfoil that is known as lift. However, while the shape of the top of the wing is what generates lift, the force itself is applied to the lower part of the wing, hence the airfoil rises. I guess the best answer would be to say it is produced by the upper part of the airfoil and is applied to the lower part of the airfoil. Look up Bernoulli for a more detailed discussion.


Lift occurs because the air pressure on the top surface if an airfoil wing is?

Lift occurs in an aircraft wing because the wind speeds up as it goes over the top of it. The wind is traveling at relatively the same speed over the bottom. The faster air that travels over the top causes the wing to have lift because the air pressure is lower over the top therefore the wing 'rises' in a way. Hope this helps :)


How is Bernoulli's principle involved with the flight of a kite?

Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid (such as air) increases, its pressure decreases. In the case of a kite, the air moving over the top surface of the kite moves faster than the air below, causing a pressure difference that generates lift and keeps the kite aloft.

Related Questions

What is the difference how a helacopter creates lift and an airplane?

They both utilize airflow over an airfoil. The helicopter moves the airfoil (blade) by spinning them, as air passes around the blade it creates lift. An airplane uses thrust from the engines to push the airfoil (wings) forward through the air, the air then flowing over(lower pressure) and under them (higher pressure) produces lift.


How does the flow over an airfoil affect its lift and drag characteristics?

The flow over an airfoil affects its lift and drag characteristics by creating differences in air pressure above and below the airfoil. This pressure difference generates lift, which is the force that allows an aircraft to stay airborne. The flow also creates drag, which is the resistance that opposes the motion of the aircraft. The shape and angle of the airfoil, as well as the speed and density of the air, all play a role in determining the lift and drag forces acting on the airfoil.


Why wings are shaped like airfoil?

Wings are airfoils. The purpose of the airfoil it to accelerate air over the top of the wing and create an area of low pressure, which produces lift.


How is an airfoil shaped?

Each aircraft has a different shaped airfoil. The purpose of the airfoil shape is to reduce drag over a range of speeds which the aircraft wing operates at while providing the least possible drag at the cruising speed (regular flight speed) in order to ensure good performance.


What is the factor described by Bernoulli's principle that allows airplanes?

Air over the upper surface of the airfoil is induced to move faster than that under its lower surface thus, according to Bernoull's principle, creating a region of lower pressure above the airfoil and a net lift on the airfoil.


Which part of the wing produces more lift the upper part or the lower part?

Tough question to answer as asked. In normal airfoils, the top of the airfoil is thicker and curved and it is this thicker, curved section that causes the air to speed up as it flows over it. This increase in airspeed over the top of the airfoil results in a lowering of the pressure and it is that pressure differential between the top and the bottom of the airfoil that is known as lift. However, while the shape of the top of the wing is what generates lift, the force itself is applied to the lower part of the wing, hence the airfoil rises. I guess the best answer would be to say it is produced by the upper part of the airfoil and is applied to the lower part of the airfoil. Look up Bernoulli for a more detailed discussion.


Why do flow separates over an airfoil?

Because of a change in the angle of attack. When you exceed the critical angle of attack there is not enough wind passing over the airfoil and therefore disrupting lift, the airfoil stalls.


Lift occurs because the air pressure on the top surface if an airfoil wing is?

Lift occurs in an aircraft wing because the wind speeds up as it goes over the top of it. The wind is traveling at relatively the same speed over the bottom. The faster air that travels over the top causes the wing to have lift because the air pressure is lower over the top therefore the wing 'rises' in a way. Hope this helps :)


How is Bernoulli's principle involved with the flight of a kite?

Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid (such as air) increases, its pressure decreases. In the case of a kite, the air moving over the top surface of the kite moves faster than the air below, causing a pressure difference that generates lift and keeps the kite aloft.


What is important about a bird's wing's shape?

A bird's wing is shape like an airfoil. (See the related link Diagram of an airfoil below.) The airfoil is curved more on top, so the air flowing over the top of the airfoil moves faster that the air underneath. This creates more pressure underneath the wing, pushing up and generating a force called lift. This force keeps the birds in the air. (This is also how the wings of an airplane work.)


What is an airfoil?

An airfoil is a shape that is designed to produce lift when it moves through the air. It is commonly used in the design of wings for aircraft and blades for propellers and turbines. The unique shape of the airfoil allows air to flow faster over the top surface, creating lower pressure and generating lift.


What happens to the airfoil section when it stalls?

The airfoil section remains the same, what happens is the airflow around it becomes separated from the surface. When airspeed becomes very small or the angle of attack of the airfoil is very large, the air flowing over the wing does not flow smoothly and becomes separated, leaving a high pressure regions. This causes immediate loss of lift production.