Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Basic Aerodynamics
- 2 Physics of Fluids
- 3 Equations of Aerodynamics
- 4 Fundamentals of Steady, Incompressible, Inviscid Flows
- 5 Two-Dimensional Airfoils
- 6 Incompressible Flow about Wings of Finite Span
- 7 Axisymmetric, Incompressible Flow around a Body of Revolution
- 8 Viscous Incompressible Flow
- 9 Incompressible Aerodynamics: Summary
- Index
- References
2 - Physics of Fluids
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Basic Aerodynamics
- 2 Physics of Fluids
- 3 Equations of Aerodynamics
- 4 Fundamentals of Steady, Incompressible, Inviscid Flows
- 5 Two-Dimensional Airfoils
- 6 Incompressible Flow about Wings of Finite Span
- 7 Axisymmetric, Incompressible Flow around a Body of Revolution
- 8 Viscous Incompressible Flow
- 9 Incompressible Aerodynamics: Summary
- Index
- References
Summary
Aerodynamic Forces
Because the objective of aerodynamics is the determination of forces acting on a flying object, it is necessary that we clearly identify their source. Lift and drag forces, for example, are the result of interactions between the airflow and vehicle surfaces. Part of the force must be a result of pressure variations from point to point along the surface; another part must be related to friction of gas particles as they scrub the surface. Clearly, the key to understanding these forces is found in details of the fluid motions. The application of simple molecular concepts provides considerable insight into these motions.
Modeling of Gas Motion
As a branch of fluid mechanics, aerodynamics is concerned with the motion of a continuously deformable medium. That is, when acted on by a constant shear force, a body of liquid or gas changes shape continuously until the force is removed. This is unlike a solid body, which only deforms until internal stresses come into equilibrium with the applied force; that is, a solid does not deform continuously.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Basic AerodynamicsIncompressible Flow, pp. 15 - 47Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011