Airplanes have fascinated humanity since their invention. The simple fact that a huge metal structure can rise and staying in the air is really amazing. However, behind this feat there are a series of physical and aerodynamic principles that make it possible. Therefore, we will learn how airplanes work and fly in the following lines. To learn more about interesting innovations in transportation, you can visit our article on Curiosities of the Quimbaya culture.
Next, we'll explore in depth how airplanes work, what forces are involved in their flight, and some surprising curiosities that you may not have known.
Physical principles of flight
The flight of the airplanes is based on four aerodynamic forces fundamental: weight, lift, thrust and resistanceThese forces are what allow the plane to take off, stay in the air, and land safely.
- Weight (Gravity): It is the force that attracts the plane to the ground due to gravity.
- Lift: It is the force opposite to weight that allows the plane to stay in the air.
- Push: Generated by the aircraft's engines, it propels the aircraft forward.
- Resistance: It is the friction of the air against the plane, which opposes its movement.
How airplanes generate lift
The wings of airplanes are designed with a curved profile which allows air to flow faster through the top than the bottom. According to the Bernoulli's principle, this creates a pressure difference that generates the necessary lift to keep the plane in the air. If you want to delve deeper into the topic of curiosities, you can also read about curiosities narrated in stories.
In addition, when the plane moves forward, the wings alter the direction of the air, producing a downdraft. This action is explained by the law of action and reaction Newton's law, which states that if the wing pushes the air downwards, the air reacts by pushing the wing upwards.
Why can airplanes fly? Bernoulli's principle
One of the biggest mysteries for those unfamiliar with aeronautics is how an airplane weighing several tons can get airborne.
The secret is in the shape of the wings and the laws of physics.
Airplanes fly thanks to Bernoulli's principle, which explains how the speed of a fluid (in this case, air) affects pressure.
That's how it works:
- The wings of airplanes have a special shape called aerodynamic profile.
- The air that passes through the top of the wing moves faster that the air passing through the bottom.
- This creates a pressure difference: the pressure is lower at the top and larger at the bottom.
- The highest pressure under the wing pushes the plane up, generating lift.
This is the principle that allows an airplane to stay in the air even with its enormous weight.
How do airplanes stay in the air?
Many people think that airplanes stay in the air because the engines are pushing them upward, but this is incorrect. The engines generate forward thrust, while the wings generate lift.
Four forces act on the flight of an airplane:
1️⃣ Lift: Pushes the plane upwards (created by the wings).
2️⃣ Weight: Gravity pulls the plane down.
3️⃣ Push: The engines propel the plane forward.
4️⃣ Resistance: The air opposes a force contrary to the movement of the plane.
The role of engines and propulsion
For an airplane to move forward and generate enough lift, it needs engines that provide pushDepending on the type of aircraft, these engines can be:
- Piston engines: Used in small airplanes, they work with propellers.
- Turbine engines: Used in commercial and cargo aircraft, they generate a large amount of thrust.
- Reaction engines: Most commonly used in military and high-speed aircraft.
Engines must also overcome the air resistance, which tends to slow the aircraft. The more efficient the aircraft design, the lower the drag.
Surprising curiosities about airplanes
Beyond how they work, airplanes hide interesting facts that you may not have known:
- Planes can land themselvesSome airports have systems that allow automatic landing in low visibility conditions.
- The windows are oval for safety.: This shape helps distribute air pressure evenly, preventing fractures.
- Black boxes are orange.: Despite their name, these boxes are a striking color to make them easy to locate in the event of an accident.
- Aircraft can be struck by lightning without damage.: They are designed to conduct electricity through their fuselage without affecting their systems.
Airplanes are true marvels of engineering, combining aerodynamics, physics and technology to make possible something that centuries ago seemed unthinkable. Understanding how it works is not only fascinating, but also allows us to appreciate the advance that have represented in the history of transportation.
