spleisher
11-05-2004, 08:17 PM
Ever wondered why airplanes fly in the first place? Has anyone ever look at a jet liner and thought "How in the world does something that big get up in the air? It just doesn't make sense." Does that lack of understanding contribute to your fear?
The link below is to an article that explains, in some detail, why planes fly. This article gets a little technical as there are a lot of things that go into the equation, but I'll supply a link anyway.
www.aa.washington.edu/fac...t/lift.htm (http://www.aa.washington.edu/faculty/eberhardt/lift.htm)
If you want the simple version, here it is:
If you were to cut off an airplane wing and look at a cross section from the side, you would notice that the bottom of the wing is relatively flat while there is a distinct curve to the top half the wing. This is actually the secret to airplane flight.
The "Bernoulli Principle" states that as the speed of moving air increases, pressure is decreased. By curving the top of the wing, the air that passes over the top of the wing is forced to move more quickly than the air travelling under the bottom of the wing. The pressure differential between the air under the wing and the air on the top of the wing is what makes the plane go up.
If you want to test the same theory at home, stick a straw in some water and then blow air across the top of the straw (Not into it, or you'll just make bubbles) The lower pressure from the fast moving air over the top of the straw will cause the liquid to climb up the straw. You can do the same thing with soda, or milk, or beer, but you may have a mess on your hands!
Like I said, there is a lot more to this and a lot more physics that enter the mix, but that's the short version. If you want to delve a little deeper, check out the article above, or just search for "Bernoulli Principle" on the internet.
There's a lot to learn out there! Have a great Weekend!
Scott
The link below is to an article that explains, in some detail, why planes fly. This article gets a little technical as there are a lot of things that go into the equation, but I'll supply a link anyway.
www.aa.washington.edu/fac...t/lift.htm (http://www.aa.washington.edu/faculty/eberhardt/lift.htm)
If you want the simple version, here it is:
If you were to cut off an airplane wing and look at a cross section from the side, you would notice that the bottom of the wing is relatively flat while there is a distinct curve to the top half the wing. This is actually the secret to airplane flight.
The "Bernoulli Principle" states that as the speed of moving air increases, pressure is decreased. By curving the top of the wing, the air that passes over the top of the wing is forced to move more quickly than the air travelling under the bottom of the wing. The pressure differential between the air under the wing and the air on the top of the wing is what makes the plane go up.
If you want to test the same theory at home, stick a straw in some water and then blow air across the top of the straw (Not into it, or you'll just make bubbles) The lower pressure from the fast moving air over the top of the straw will cause the liquid to climb up the straw. You can do the same thing with soda, or milk, or beer, but you may have a mess on your hands!
Like I said, there is a lot more to this and a lot more physics that enter the mix, but that's the short version. If you want to delve a little deeper, check out the article above, or just search for "Bernoulli Principle" on the internet.
There's a lot to learn out there! Have a great Weekend!
Scott