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The most valuable measurement within a wind tunnel is pressure, specifically the differential between the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil as this is the 'engine' that provides lift. This changes as the angle of attack changes, as the airspeed changes, and as the apparent wind direction changes. The wind tunnel lets us observe how the airfoil reacts to different conditions so we can optimize the shape for its intended use.

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What is the purpose of a wind tunnel?

A wind tunnel is used to simulate air flow over a model of an airplane or a wing section so it can be studied. The model can be instrumented to measure the lift and drag and other parameters for study. The wind tunnel can produce air flow at the desired speed and condition. Engineers may use a wind tunnel to study and design a wing shape. The Wright Brothers developed the first wind tunnel to design the shape of the wing for their airplane. Wind tunnels can be used to study interference between parts of the aircraft or between an airplane and a bomb as it drops away. There are different types of wind tunnels: low speed wind tunnels, supersonic wind tunnels and hyper-sonic wind tunnels.


Why are wing and airplane designs tested in a wind tunnel?

Wind tunnels move air around an object making it react as though it was moving itself. It lets the design team know what changes can be made to increase the effectiveness of their design. Not only is it used for aircraft, it's also used for trains, automobiles and the like.


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.


Should blades on a wind turbine face flat into the wind or should they be at an angle?

Blades on a wind turbine should be at an angle to the wind, not flat, to generate lift like an airplane wing and turn the turbine. This angle is called the pitch angle and is adjusted to optimize energy production based on wind speed and direction.

Related Questions

What is the purpose of a wind tunnel?

A wind tunnel is used to simulate air flow over a model of an airplane or a wing section so it can be studied. The model can be instrumented to measure the lift and drag and other parameters for study. The wind tunnel can produce air flow at the desired speed and condition. Engineers may use a wind tunnel to study and design a wing shape. The Wright Brothers developed the first wind tunnel to design the shape of the wing for their airplane. Wind tunnels can be used to study interference between parts of the aircraft or between an airplane and a bomb as it drops away. There are different types of wind tunnels: low speed wind tunnels, supersonic wind tunnels and hyper-sonic wind tunnels.


Does the shape of an airplane wing matter?

Yes because an airplane wing has to cut through wind and create loft and lift.


How does a wing help an airplane fly?

The wind pushes the airplane helping it to stay in the air and fly.


Why are wing and airplane designs tested in a wind tunnel?

Wind tunnels move air around an object making it react as though it was moving itself. It lets the design team know what changes can be made to increase the effectiveness of their design. Not only is it used for aircraft, it's also used for trains, automobiles and the like.


How airplane flies?

differential in wind speed over the wings produces high pressure under the wing and low pressure on top of the wing.


Wind required for airplane to take off?

Yes a head wind and flaps set to mid for wing configuration


What happens when an airplane takes off against the wind?

It then produces lift due to wing configuration and can take off


How is the air moving below an airplane wing different from the air moving above it?

As an airplane flies, a strong "wind" blows across the wing (an object moving through still air works the same way as a strong wind blowing across a still object). An airplane wing is bent so that there's more curvature on top than on the bottom. For air to get to the back of the wing, it has a longer distance to travel than if it flows along the bottom of the wing. Since there is less distance below, air doesn't travel as quickly to get to the back of the wing as it does in a path across the top, so air moves more slowly underneath.


What wing design for a paper airplane will soar the farthest?

What wing design for a paper airplane will soar the farthest


How does making an airplane wings larger enable the wing more lift?

A wing is just a large sail lying on its side. The larger the sail's surface area, the greater the wind effect or lift.


When was the airplane invinted?

1905 was the first fixed wing airplane


Dose airspeed around an airplane wing change in constant airspeed if the airplan is with headwind or tailwind?

No. 'Airspeed' is the airplane's speed relative to the air. 'Headwind' and 'tailwind' ... in fact, 'wind' in any direction ... is the speed of the air relative to the ground, which the airplane doesn't feel. So 'wind' affects only the craft's groundspeed, not its airspeed.