Basic Aerody Flashcards
What is kinetic energy?
Energy an object possesses due to its speed
What is potential energy?
Energy an object possesses due to its height.
Gravitational potential energy
In a loop, when will an aircraft have its maximum kinetic energy?
Before entering and just after exiting
In a loop, when will an aircraft have its maximum potential energy?
At the top of the loop
What are the two types of pressure?
Static Pressure (Ps) and Dynamic Pressure (Pd)
What is static pressure?
The pressure caused by gravity pulling air molecules down toward the centre of the Earth
What happens to static pressure as altitude increases?
Decreases - due to air being less dense at higher altitudes
How does pressure move?
High to low
What is dynamic pressure?
Kinetic energy to motion
What is the formula for dynamic pressure?
Pd = 1/2 rho v^2
What is Bernoulli’s Theorem?
Total pressure does not change.
I.e. Pt = Pd + Ps
What is the Coanda effect?
The tendency of the airflow to follow a surface with gentle curvature rather than continue its original path until the stalling angle is reached
What does the air do as a result of the Coanda effect?
Results in the air being deflected downward after it leaves the trailing edge of the wing
What is an aerofoil?
Any surface which is designed to provide an aerodynamic force when interacting with a moving stream of air
What is the chordline of an aerofoil?
The straight line joining the leading edge to the trailing edge
What is the mean camber line of an aerofoil?
The line drawn an equal distance from the upper and lower surfaces
What is the thickness of an aerofoil?
The distance between the upper and lower surfaces
What is the camber of an aerofoil?
The curvature of an aerofoil
What is a well-cambered aerofoil used for?
Typical high-lift, low speed wing
What is a symmetrical aerofoil used for?
Typical horizontal stabiliser
What is aspect ratio?
It is span divided by chord
What does a wing with high aspect ratio bring?
Can reduce induced drag
What is Relative Airflow (RAF)?
Airflow in the opposite to the direction of the path of the aircraft
What is angle of attack (AoA)?
The angle between the chordline and relative airflow
What is the centre of pressure (CoP)?
A point on the top surface of an aerofoil which the total reaction of all lifting aerodynamic forces is said to act
Where is the high pressure around an aerofoil?
Underneath
Where is the low pressure around an aerofoil?
On top
What is the effect of flap?
Causes a greater increase in drag than lift
What is induced drag?
Drag created when creating lift
What is the equation of lift?
L = C(L) 1/2 rho v^2 S
What is C(L) in the equation of lift?
Coefficient of lift, made up of AoA and Wing Shape
What is S in the equation of lift?
Surface area