How does an Airplane fly

2 years ago
15

An airplane's forward motion is based on engine's thrust-- and Newton's law that for every force there is an equal and opposite force.
But how does the plane get off the ground and stay aloft?
That's all about lift, and wings are the key.
Airplane wings are typically designed with a curved top that lengthens the path of the wind there, creating a fast-flowing, low-pressure zone.
The slow-moving air underneath is higher pressure, pushing the plane up.
This is Bernoulli's principle at work: Because the air travels longer (and faster) over the upper wing, it creates lower pressure, which is what produces lift.
A wing's angle of attack can be used to create and enhance lift, too.
If the pilot pulls up the nose, the wings are angled up against the airstream.
the underside of the wing hits the air more directly, and the air, in keeping with Newton's law, pushes on the wing's underside with an equal and opposite force.
This force may actually exceed the Bernoulli's lift.
Using angle of attack for lift, some planes can even fly upside down.
Angle of attack is like sticking your hand out of a car window; by tilting your hand, you feel the force upward or downward.

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