Does Bernoulli's Principle Explain Flight? How Do Planes Fly According to Bernoulli's Principle?

Yes, Bernoulli's principle plays a crucial role in explaining how airplanes fly. However, it is essential to note that a full understanding of flight also involves Newton's laws of motion.

Bernoulli's Principle

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid (which can be air) simultaneously results in a decrease in pressure or potential energy. In the context of airplane wings, this principle helps to explain how lift is generated.

How Planes Fly Using Bernoulli's Principle

Wing Shape - Airfoil

: Airplane wings are designed with a specific shape called an airfoil. The upper surface of the wing is curved while the lower surface is relatively flat. This design causes air to travel faster over the top of the wing than underneath.

Airflow

: As the plane moves forward, air splits at the leading edge of the wing. The air traveling over the curved top surface moves faster than the air moving below the wing due to the difference in distance.

Pressure Difference

: According to Bernoulli's principle, the faster-moving air over the top of the wing creates lower pressure compared to the slower-moving air beneath the wing, which has higher pressure. This pressure difference generates lift, allowing the plane to rise.

Additional Considerations

Newtons Third Law

: While Bernoulli's principle explains the pressure differences, Newton's third law of motion (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction) also contributes to lift. As the wing pushes air downwards, the reaction is that the wing is pushed upwards.

Angle of Attack

: The angle at which the wing meets the oncoming air (angle of attack) also affects lift. Increasing the angle of attack can increase lift up to a certain point beyond which stall occurs.

Conclusion

In summary, Bernoulli's principle is crucial for understanding how lift is generated by airplane wings. The interaction of airflow over and under the wing creates a pressure difference that enables the plane to fly. However, a comprehensive understanding of flight also includes concepts from Newtonian physics.