This paper will discuss the aerodynamic forces acting on a sail which provides the driving force to propel the boat forward. There are many researchers beginning to realize how effective wind tunnel testing can be for a sailboat's sail construction. Currently, computer programs employing an equation known as the Navier-Stokes fluid mechanics equations is the primary means of calculating wind flow over sails. It was by this means that the below wind tunnel images was constructed. (n.d.) Stanford Yacht Researchers retrieved from ( http://syr.stanford.edu/SAILFLOW.HTM ). Hopefully by the end, everyone will not only understand the sail, but have a higher understanding of aerodynamics in general. The principles explained below regarding the sail are the exact same principles which apply to the airfoil.
Let us begin by looking at the sail, as seen from above, in a wind tunnel. It is here that we will see the effects that the sail shape has on the airflow and how that shape creates a differential in pressure; thereby, clearly understanding the force lift.
As you can see in the wind tunnel above, the sail takes on an airfoil like shape. There is a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge of the sail has a camber to it. This camber is what creates the different air flow velocities around the sail. It accomplishes this by increases the surface area needed to be traveled by the air. To ensure a complete understanding of the following, let us first look at the definition of Bernoulli's principle as stated in Wikipedia.
" Bernoulli's principle states that for an inviscid flow, an increase in the speed of the fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure... " (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved on October 26, 2013. (...
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...the condition would continue to worsen until lift would no longer be produced.
This is the basics of how a sail produces lift. How the sail's force of lift is utilized to propel a boat across the water involves a discussion of another force which is produced by the keel. That, however, is another topic and begins to enter into the world of physics. The intent of these images and their brief translations were to be instrumental in aiding everyone's understanding of aerodynamics and exactly how the force lift is produced. It was also this paper's intent to clear any misunderstandings of Bernoulli's principle. Furthermore, to discuss not only what Bernoulli's principle is, but what it means and how fundamental his principle is in understanding aerodynamics.
Works Cited
http://syr.stanford.edu/SAILFLOW.HTM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli's_principle
Ever since I was little I was amazed at the ability for a machine to fly. I have always wanted to explore ideas of flight and be able to actually fly. I think I may have found my childhood fantasy in the world of aeronautical engineering. The object of my paper is to give me more insight on my future career as an aeronautical engineer. This paper was also to give me ideas of the physics of flight and be to apply those physics of flight to compete in a high school competition.
They just forgot to mention the other effects of fluids in nature. “The influence of the fluid on a body moving through it depends not only on the body’s velocity but also on the velocity of the fluid,” this is called relative velocity ( ). The relative velocity of a body in a fluid has an effect on the magnitude of the acting forces. For example, as a long distance runner is running into a head wind, the force of the fluid is very strong. If the runner is running with the help of a tail wind, the current’s force is reduced and may even be unnoticeable.
walking across them. The lines and pulleys and some parts of the waves are example of
Biomechanics is the overall topic that will be discussed throughout the presentation, this incorporates a brief discussion about water resistance, propulsion and buoyancy. Under lifesaving, appropriate techniques and the choice of stroke for the Timed Tow will be analyzed and justified.
Bjorn Ericksen and his team have embarked on a long and expensive project designed to help them win the next Whitbread World Sailboat Race. Using the above proposed plan, the team should be well prepared to design, build and sail their vessel to victory. Although they are certain to experience setbacks, problems and delays, having a priority matrix, a project network, and a Gantt chart will provide a solid plan that will easily keep their project on track. Once they have finished the race and reviewed their performance, defending their championship will become next year's objective.
Bernoulli’s principle is the concept that as the speed of a moving fluid (liquid or gas) increases, the pressure within that fluid decreases. This principle was originally formulated in 1738 by the Swiss mathematician and physicist Daniel Bernoulli, it states that the total energy in a steadily flowing ...
For a plane to create lift, its wings must create low pressure on top and high pressure on the bottom. However, at the tips of the wings, the high pressure pushes and the low pressure pulls air onto the top of the wing, reducing lift and creating a current flowing to the top. This current remains even after the wing has left the area, producing really awesome vortices.
Flight is one of the most important achievements of mankind. We owe this achievement to the invention of the airfoil and understanding the physics that allow it to lift enormous weights into the sky.
As it filled with water, the bow submerged, raising the stern out of water. When the stern reached an angle of about 45 degrees, the stresses in the ship's midsection (15 tons per square inch) caused the steel to fail and the bow to rip loose and sink [Gannon, 1995].
The trials and tribulations of flight have had their ups and downs over the course of history. From the many who failed to the few that conquered; the thought of flight has always astonished us all. The Wright brothers were the first to sustain flight and therefore are credited with the invention of the airplane. John Allen who wrote Aerodynamics: The Science of Air in Motion says, “The Wright Brothers were the supreme example of their time of men gifted with practical skill, theoretical knowledge and insight” (6). As we all know, the airplane has had thousands of designs since then, but for the most part the physics of flight has remained the same. As you can see, the failures that occurred while trying to fly only prove that flight is truly remarkable.
Several forces play significant roles in the movement of the human body through the water. The forces are drag, lift, gravity and buoyancy. Lift and drag are the main propulsive forces that are used by swimmers. Resistance, known as drag, can be broken into three main categories: frontal resistance, skin friction, and eddy resistance. The effect of buoyancy in swimming is best described by Archimedes’ principle: a body fully or partially submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced by the body.1 This effectively negates any effects that gravity might have on a swimmer. The rare exception to this is a swimmer with very little body fat, and this is overcome by keeping the lungs inflated to a certain degree at all times.
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics that studies the movement of air and the way solid objects react when they move through the air. Aerodynamics has contributed to the advancing of airplanes and other vehicle technology. In this essay I will be discussing how aerodynamics have improved and changed our world in several great ways. Overall, without aerodynamics, our world today would not be as developed as it is now.
Lift is generated by the air flow around the plane's wing. This effect is explained mostly by Bernoulli's Principle which states that the pressure of the air decreases as the velocity of the air increases. The design of a plane's wing changes the airflow around the wing's surface. The air has farther to travel over the top of the wing than the air traveling below the wing. Therefore, the air traveling above the wing is traveling at a higher velocity than the air traveling below it. As air flows around the wing, a high pressure region with low air velocity is created below the wing, and a low pressure region with high air velocity is created above the wing. The difference between the two pressures generates the lift force. (JEPPESEN 1-11)
It affects a rubber band airplane with gravity and itself because it helps the plane be balanced on the top and bottom. Bernoulli's Principle and Angle of Attack are both factors in lift. Bernoulli's Principle states: that as there is an increase in velocity the air pressure will decrease. Bernoulli's Principle relates to the lift of an airplane because the velocity on top of the wing moves faster than the underside which creates a vacuum on the top side of the wing and creates lift. The other factor of lift is Angle of Attack which is the angle from horizontal to the chord line. This creates lift because the air hitting the bottom of the airfoil pushes the wing upward. For example, when you stick your hand out of a car window and then tilt it you are changing your Angle of
Henderson, T. n.d. The physics classroom tutorial. Lesson 2: Force and Its Representation [Online]. Illinois. Available at: http://gbhsweb.glenbrook225.org/gbs/science/phys/class/newtlaws/u2l2b.html [Accessed: 28th March 2014].