Question

How does an airplane wing develop lift?

   How does an airplane wing develop lift?

Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Philip J. Pritchard,… 8th Edition

Chapter 2, Problem 92

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Khoobchandra Agrawal

04/17/2021

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The airfoil is designed in such a way that it is rounded at the front, reaches its maximum thickness about a third of the way back, and then tapers to a point at the back. This shape is both theoretically expected and experimentally proven to be effective for Show more…

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How does an airplane wing develop lift?

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Key Concepts

Newton's Third Law

Newton's Third Law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the context of lift, as the wing deflects air downward, an upward reactive force is generated, further augmenting the lift that is essential for keeping the airplane aloft.

Airfoil Shape

The design of an airplane wing includes a particular curved shape called an airfoil, which is optimized to manage the flow of air around the wing. This curvature causes the air above the wing to travel faster and thus develop a lower pressure compared to the slower-moving air beneath the wing, a fundamental aspect in generating lift.

Bernoulli's Principle

Bernoulli's Principle explains that within a fluid flow, an increase in the velocity of the fluid results in a decrease in pressure. For an airplane wing, the faster airflow over the top surface compared to the slower airflow underneath generates a pressure difference, which contributes significantly to the lifting force that supports the aircraft.

Angle of Attack

The angle of attack is the angle between the wing's chord line and the oncoming airflow. This angle critically influences how the air is deflected by the wing, affecting both the pressure distribution over the wing surfaces and the overall magnitude of lift produced.

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