To understand the workings of a plane, it is important to consider the forces it encounters.
1. Thrust - is the force that moves the plane forward.
2. Weight - is the force that pulls the plane downward.
3. Drag - is the force that tends to stop the plane from moving forward.
4. Lift - is the force that keeps the plane in the air.
Of the aforementioned forces it is clear the lift played a major role in making the plane fly. The wings of the plane is responsible in producing this lift and how it came to be so can be deduced from its shape which is called the aerofoil.
As the air moves through the aerofoil, the air passing at the top moves faster than the air crossing underneath it. As the air goes passed the wing and due to its shape, the air moves in the downward motion. The difference in air speeds and the downward movement of the air causes a difference in air pressure between the top and bottom surface of the wing. There is low air pressure at the top and high air pressure underneath that causes the wing to be sucked up causing the lift.
1. Thrust - is the force that moves the plane forward.
2. Weight - is the force that pulls the plane downward.
3. Drag - is the force that tends to stop the plane from moving forward.
4. Lift - is the force that keeps the plane in the air.
Of the aforementioned forces it is clear the lift played a major role in making the plane fly. The wings of the plane is responsible in producing this lift and how it came to be so can be deduced from its shape which is called the aerofoil.
As the air moves through the aerofoil, the air passing at the top moves faster than the air crossing underneath it. As the air goes passed the wing and due to its shape, the air moves in the downward motion. The difference in air speeds and the downward movement of the air causes a difference in air pressure between the top and bottom surface of the wing. There is low air pressure at the top and high air pressure underneath that causes the wing to be sucked up causing the lift.