How Is Pressure Distributed on the Upper and Lower Surfaces of an Airplane Wing?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves understanding the distribution of pressure on the upper and lower surfaces of an airplane wing during level flight. It presents a scenario with specific values for mass, wing area, and pressure on the lower surface, prompting a calculation of the pressure on the upper surface.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of Newton's third law and the role of wing curvature in pressure distribution. There is uncertainty about whether the pressure on the upper surface can be directly inferred from the lower surface pressure. Some participants question how to incorporate the mass of the airplane into their calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between force, pressure, and area, but there is no consensus on the approach to take for calculating the upper surface pressure.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of curvature in the wing and the assumption that the wings are parallel to the plane. There is also mention of needing to account for the weight of the airplane in relation to the pressure difference required for lift.

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Homework Statement


An airplane has a mass of 1.60 x 10^4kg and each wing has an area of 40.0m^2.
During level flight, the pressure on the lower wing surface is 7.00x10^4Pa. Determine
the pressure on the upper wing surface?


Homework Equations


Newtons third law


The Attempt at a Solution


As I read through about airplane and wing I see that the force on the wing
has an equal and opposite reaction force. Also the curvature of the wing is a factor.
This problem states no curvature? The wings are assumed parellel to plane.
Is this simply 7.00x10^4 for the top? from the information given or am I missing
something
Thanks,
Kevin
 
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You are reading too much into the question.
All it is asking is how much force is needed to lift the plane's mass.
Given the wing area how much pressure difference is needed to supply this force.
 
Thanks,
hmmm. Don't know what to do with the mass
F = PA so that is to be (7.00x10^4)(40.0m^2) x 2 = 5.6x10^6N
I might need a clue from there.
Thanks,
Kevin
 
Force down = weight = mg
Force up = pressure difference * area

It want's the total pressure so you need to subtract the pressure difference from the absolute pressure on the bottom
 

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