Physics of Flight

Physics of Flight Essay

For thousands of years, our ancestors have dreamt of flight. Bird flew the sky, there must be some science behind there that I can use to let humans fly, our ancestors were undoubtedly thinking. It was the commitment of these amazing men and women that allows us to fly higher, faster, and safer.

Birds and many insects have used the method of flight for many, many years, for fast travel and mere survival. There are 3 variables when it comes to flight, drag, lift and trust. Birds use their wings and their weight as trust, gravity pulls them down and when they flap their wings there are pushed forward. Their tale is used for drag, giving them control over steering and speed. The shape of the wings of birds produces lift, pushing the animal up.

Drag – Drag is a force exerted on an object moving through a fluid or gas. In a bird’s case, it’s gas. Drag occurs when there is a collision between the bird and the air (the object and the air). It is the exchange in moment which changing the speed of movement. For example. When walking against a strong wind, there is drag made when the momentum of the object (human) and the fluid or air (strong wind) collide creating a force moving the opposite direction of the object. In terms of aeroplanes, the drag is the tail.

Lift – Lift is a force pushing perpendicular to the drag. Its relies of the gravity pulling the object down, but the angle of the wing or object causing lift forces the object up. When the area of the wing or object causing lift is greater, the object flies higher. In terms of aeroplanes, the lift is the wings.

Thrust – Thrust, in a bird, is produced by wing flapping. Thrust is a force pushing in the direction of the animal’s flight, opposing the drag’s force. The object must produce enough thrust the equal the amount of drag. This will give the object a steady flight.
In terms of aeroplanes the thrust is either the propeller/s or the jet engine.

It might seem to be...