Research Question Relating to Airflow and Airfoils

In summary, a junior in the full I.B. program is developing a research question for an extended essay in the field of physics, specifically aerodynamics. They are considering various topics, including the effect of airfoil shape on ground effect, wind shear, wake variations for spheres, and the placement of a "hump" on wing aerodynamics. They are looking for assistance in narrowing down their research question and designing an experiment that is both practical and original.
  • #1
waealu
37
0
I am currently a junior in high school in the full I.B. program and I am developing a research question for an extended essay. I have chosen to write an essay in the field of physics, and more specifically, aerodynamics.

At the moment, I am trying to conceptualize a working research question that would involve a practical experiment. Furthermore, I am a pilot, so I understand some basic aerodynamic phenomena.

The following topics are possibilities that I am working on:

1) The effect of the shape of an airfoil on the ground effect phenomenon.

2) The effect of the shape of an airfoil on wind shear.

3) Variations in wake for spheres of differing shapes (possibly and experiment with a smooth sphere and a golf ball). (This site focuses on this idea: http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0215.shtml")

4) How the placement of the "hump" on aircraft wings affect laminar flow and drag (similar to question number 3 on this post: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=305213&highlight=Aerodynamics")

Now, I am stuck at this stage. I am wondering which question is most practical to use as a research question. (Ideally, this essay would involve an experiment using a wind tunnel.)

I am looking for help either eliminating possible topics, tweaking topics or focusing topics. I am in a brainstorming stage still, so any ideas could be helpful.

Thank you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
for your interest in my forum post!

Dear junior in the full I.B. program,

First of all, congratulations on choosing to write your extended essay in the field of physics and specifically aerodynamics. It's great to see young students taking an interest in scientific research!

In terms of your potential research questions, all of them seem viable and interesting. However, let me offer some suggestions and potential directions for each of them:

1) The effect of the shape of an airfoil on the ground effect phenomenon.

This is a very interesting topic and could potentially involve a wind tunnel experiment. However, it may be challenging to design an experiment that accurately replicates the ground effect phenomenon, as it involves the interaction of an airfoil with the ground. You may want to consider focusing on a specific aspect of the ground effect, such as its impact on lift or drag, and designing an experiment that isolates and measures that effect.

2) The effect of the shape of an airfoil on wind shear.

Similarly to the previous topic, wind shear is a complex phenomenon that may be difficult to replicate in a wind tunnel. You may want to consider narrowing down the scope of your research question to a specific type of wind shear, such as vertical or horizontal, and designing an experiment that measures its impact on an airfoil of varying shapes.

3) Variations in wake for spheres of differing shapes.

This topic is very interesting and has potential for a wind tunnel experiment. However, since this has been studied before, you may want to consider adding a twist to it to make it more unique and original. For example, you could investigate the effect of surface roughness on the wake of spheres of differing shapes.

4) How the placement of the "hump" on aircraft wings affect laminar flow and drag.

This is a very specific and focused research question, which is great. You could design an experiment that involves varying the placement of the hump on a model wing and measuring its impact on laminar flow and drag. You may also want to consider investigating the effect of different hump shapes on these factors.

In general, I would recommend choosing a research question that is specific and focused, while also allowing for potential variations and twists in the experiment. This will make your research more original and add to the scientific knowledge in the field of aerodynamics.

I hope this helps in your decision-making process. Best of luck with your extended essay!A fellow scientist
 
  • #3


After reviewing your potential research questions, I would suggest focusing on the effect of the shape of an airfoil on wind shear. This topic has potential for a practical experiment in a wind tunnel and also ties in with your interest in aerodynamics as a pilot. Additionally, there is a significant amount of literature and research on the relationship between airfoil shape and wind shear, which can provide a strong foundation for your extended essay.

To further refine your research question, you could consider specifying the type of airfoil (such as NACA airfoils) and the specific parameters of wind shear that you will be measuring (such as velocity or turbulence intensity). This will help make your experiment more specific and focused.

Another suggestion would be to consider the effect of different airfoil shapes on wind shear in different flight conditions, such as varying angles of attack or airspeeds. This could add an interesting element to your experiment and provide more comprehensive results.

Overall, I believe that the topic of the effect of airfoil shape on wind shear is a strong and practical research question for your extended essay. I wish you the best of luck in your research and experiment!
 

What is the relationship between airflow and airfoils?

The relationship between airflow and airfoils is that airfoils are specifically designed to manipulate the flow of air around an object. As air flows over an airfoil, it creates different pressures on the top and bottom surfaces, causing lift or drag depending on the shape of the airfoil.

How do different airfoil shapes affect airflow?

Different airfoil shapes can greatly affect the flow of air. For example, a symmetric airfoil will create equal lift and drag, while a cambered airfoil will create more lift on the top surface and less drag on the bottom surface. The shape, size, and angle of the airfoil all play a role in how it affects airflow.

What are some applications of studying airflow and airfoils?

Studying airflow and airfoils has many practical applications, such as in designing more efficient airplanes, wind turbines, and even sports equipment like golf clubs or race cars. Understanding the principles of airflow and airfoils can also help in improving the aerodynamics of buildings and structures.

How is airflow measured and analyzed in relation to airfoils?

To measure and analyze airflow in relation to airfoils, scientists use tools like wind tunnels, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and pressure sensors. These methods allow for precise measurement and analysis of the flow of air over and around airfoils, providing valuable data for further research and development.

What are some current research questions relating to airflow and airfoils?

Some current research questions in this field include how to optimize airfoil design for different applications, how to reduce drag and increase efficiency in airfoil designs, and how to improve the performance of airfoils in turbulent or non-uniform airflow conditions. Other research areas include exploring the use of biomimicry in airfoil design and investigating the effects of airfoil shape on noise production.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
452
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
15
Views
651
Replies
3
Views
923
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
3
Views
882
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
2
Views
994
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
2
Views
6K
Back
Top