Airfoil Flashcards
What is an airfoil
A structure curved to produce lift
What is the leading edge
The section of the airfoil the wind hits first
What is the trailing edge
The section of the airfoil which the air hits last
What is the chord
The distance between the leading and trailing edge
What is the chord line
The straight line joining the leading and trailing edge
What is the camber line
The straight line between the leading and trailing edge equidistant from the top and bottom surfaces
What is the camber
The distance from the camber line to the chord line (used to measure the curvature of the airfoil)
What is the camber
The distance from the camber line to the chord line (used to measure the curvature of the airfoil)
What is the thickness
The distance from the top and bottom surfaces
What is the leading edge radius
The radius of curvature at the leading edge
What is the pitching moment
Twisting force created on an airfoil caused by the aerodynamic forces acting on it
What is the centre of pressure
The balance point on the airfoil with no pitching moment
What is the aerodynamic centre
The point at which the pitching moment doesn’t change as the angle of attack varies
What is the angle of attack
Angle between the relative wind and the chord line
What are the two types of airfoils
-symmetric airfoil (upper and lower surfaces of this airfoil are identical)
- non symmetric airfoil (upper and lower surfaces of this are different)
they are also known as cambered airfoils
