Understanding Airfoil Wingtip Effects on Lift & Drag

AI Thread Summary
Airflow over an airfoil's wingtip creates upwash that reduces the Angle of Attack (AoA), leading to decreased lift. However, an increased AoA generates more induced drag due to the lift vector's rearward component. As the lift vector shifts backward with a higher AoA, the upward lift diminishes. This relationship highlights the balance between lift and drag in aerodynamic performance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing wing design and efficiency.
cosmic time
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
When an air passes over the wingtip of the airfoil, the upwash created at the leading edge 'reduces' the Angle of Attack, thus reducing lift. So why does this affect increase induced drag. The way I understand it, the greater the AoA (more lift), the more induced drag that is generated.

Help would be appreciated,
thank you.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
It is a matter of examining the lift vector. The rearward component of the lift vector, IS by definition, induced drag. As AOA increases, the lift vector points further and further rearward.

With more facing the rear, less faces upward...reduced lift. :)
 
How did you find PF?: Via Google search Hi, I have a vessel I 3D printed to investigate single bubble rise. The vessel has a 4 mm gap separated by acrylic panels. This is essentially my viewing chamber where I can record the bubble motion. The vessel is open to atmosphere. The bubble generation mechanism is composed of a syringe pump and glass capillary tube (Internal Diameter of 0.45 mm). I connect a 1/4” air line hose from the syringe to the capillary The bubble is formed at the tip...
Thread 'Physics of Stretch: What pressure does a band apply on a cylinder?'
Scenario 1 (figure 1) A continuous loop of elastic material is stretched around two metal bars. The top bar is attached to a load cell that reads force. The lower bar can be moved downwards to stretch the elastic material. The lower bar is moved downwards until the two bars are 1190mm apart, stretching the elastic material. The bars are 5mm thick, so the total internal loop length is 1200mm (1190mm + 5mm + 5mm). At this level of stretch, the load cell reads 45N tensile force. Key numbers...
I'd like to create a thread with links to 3-D Printer resources, including printers and software package suggestions. My motivations are selfish, as I have a 3-D printed project that I'm working on, and I'd like to buy a simple printer and use low cost software to make the first prototype. There are some previous threads about 3-D printing like this: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/are-3d-printers-easy-to-use-yet.917489/ but none that address the overall topic (unless I've missed...
Back
Top