| aerodynamic |
Having a shape that allows for smooth airflow and lift. |
| air |
A mixture of gases that surrounds the earth; this mixture is made
up of molecules that take up space and have weight. |
| airflow |
The motion of air molecules as they flow around an object, such
as a wing. |
| airfoil |
An object with a special shape that is designed to produce lift
efficiently when it is moved through the air. |
| air pressure |
The force created by air pushing on a surface. |
| angle of attack |
The angle of a wing to the oncoming airflow. |
| camber |
The curve of an airfoil.
|
| drag |
The force that resists the motion of the aircraft through the air. |
| force |
A push or pull in a certain direction, that can be measured. |
| laminar flow |
The smooth flow of air around an object. |
| launch angle |
The angle at which an airplane (most efficiently) takes off. |
| leading edge |
The front edge of an airfoil. |
| lift |
Upward force produced by air passing over and under the wing of
an airplane. |
| stall |
A breakdown of the airflow over a wing, which suddenly reduces lift. |
| stall angle |
The angle where the wing meets the oncoming airflow and the wing
stops generating lift. |
| thrust |
A force created by the engines that pushes an aircraft through the
air. |
| trailing edge |
The back edge of an airfoil. |
| turbulent flow |
Airflow around an object that does not flow in a smooth stream,
but swirls about. |
| weight |
The force of gravity acting on an object. |
