Physics Explanation
The general airplane lift equation demonstrates these relationships:
where:
- L is the amount of Lift produced,
- is the air density,
- V is the indicated airspeed of the airplane or the Velocity of the airplane, relative to the air
- S is the planform area or Surface area of the wing and
- is the lift coefficient which is determined by the camber of the airfoil used, the chord of the wing and the angle at which the wing meets the air (or angle of attack).
Here, it can be seen that increasing the area (S) and lift coefficient allow a similar amount of lift to be generated at a lower airspeed (V).
Extending the flaps also increases the drag coefficient of the aircraft. Therefore, for any given weight and airspeed, flaps increase the drag force. Flaps increase the drag coefficient of an aircraft because of higher induced drag caused by the distorted spanwise lift distribution on the wing with flaps extended. Some flaps increase the planform area of the wing and, for any given speed, this also increases the parasitic drag component of total drag.
Read more about this topic: Flap (aircraft)
Famous quotes containing the words physics and/or explanation:
“The labor we delight in physics pain.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“The explanation of the propensity of the English people to portrait painting is to be found in their relish for a Fact. Let a man do the grandest things, fight the greatest battles, or be distinguished by the most brilliant personal heroism, yet the English people would prefer his portrait to a painting of the great deed. The likeness they can judge of; his existence is a Fact. But the truth of the picture of his deeds they cannot judge of, for they have no imagination.”
—Benjamin Haydon (1786–1846)